The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 13, 2012
Filed:
Sep. 21, 2011
Clifford E. Lambarth, Portage, MI (US);
Alfred J. Dacey, Iv, Mendon, MI (US);
Chris Gentile, Sturgis, MI (US);
Keith L. Buffinga, Hopkins, MI (US);
Clifford E. Lambarth, Portage, MI (US);
Alfred J. Dacey, IV, Mendon, MI (US);
Chris Gentile, Sturgis, MI (US);
Keith L. Buffinga, Hopkins, MI (US);
Stryker Coropration, Kalamazoo, MI (US);
Abstract
A patient transfer device including a retractable wheel assembly, a caster brake and a track extension is provided. The retractable wheel assembly can include a cammed linkage arm operatively coupled to a retractable wheel. As the patient transfer device moves downwardly over a step, the cammed linkage arm can bear against the step, rotating the retractable wheel to a stowed position. The caster brake and the track extension can cooperate to stabilize the patient transfer device at the top and bottom of a stairway, respectively. The caster brake and the track extension can each include a high-friction engagement surface that is vertically offset from the respective caster and track. The retractable wheel assembly, caster brake and track extension can improve the control the patient transfer device along level, ramped and stepped surfaces, particularly for operators lacking sufficient training or experience.