Patient transport apparatus for transporting a patient over disturbances in floor surfaces

A patient transport apparatus for transporting a patient over disturbances in floor surfaces, said transport apparatus comprising:

• a support structure comprising a patient support surface to support the patient;
• wheels coupled to said support structure;
• an operator interface coupled to said support structure to enable an operator to transport the patient over the floor surfaces;
• a suspension system operable in a first mode and a second mode, said suspension system being configured in at least one of said modes to absorb energy as said wheels move over the disturbances in the floor surfaces during transport to limit energy transfer to said patient support surface thereby limiting discomfort to the patient;
• and
• a control system to place said suspension system in one of said modes,
• wherein said first mode is an energy-absorbing mode in which said suspension system absorbs energy as said wheels move over the disturbances in the floor surfaces during transport and said second mode is a lockout mode in which said suspension system is relatively more rigid as compared to said energy-absorbing mode, and
• wherein said suspension system is selectively operable at a first ride setting or a second ride setting in said energy-absorbing mode, said first ride setting being different than said second ride setting.

A patient transport apparatus for transporting a patient over disturbances in floor surfaces, said transport apparatus comprising:

• a support structure comprising a patient support surface to support the patient;
• wheels coupled to said support structure;
• an operator interface coupled to said support structure to enable an operator to transport the patient over the floor surfaces;
• a suspension system operable in a first mode and a second mode said, suspension system being configured in at least one of said modes to absorb energy as said wheels move over the disturbances in the floor surfaces during transport to limit energy transfer to said patient support surface thereby limiting discomfort to the patient, said suspension system comprising a suspension device;
• and
• a control system to place said suspension system in one of said modes,
• wherein said support structure comprises a frame, said suspension device disposed between said patient support surface and said frame.

A patient transport apparatus for transporting a patient over disturbances in floor surfaces, said transport apparatus comprising:

• a support structure comprising a patient support surface to support the patient;
• wheels coupled to said support structure;
• an operator interface coupled to said support structure to enable an operator to transport the patient over the floor surfaces;
• a suspension system operable in a first mode and a second mode, said suspension system being configured in at least one of said modes to absorb energy as said wheels move over the disturbances in the floor surfaces during transport to limit energy transfer to said patient support surface thereby limiting discomfort to the patient, said suspension system comprising a suspension device;
• and
• a control system to place said suspension system in one of said modes,
• wherein said support structure comprises a base frame fixed to said wheels and an intermediate frame spaced from said base frame, said suspension device disposed between said intermediate frame and said base frame.