Patient transport apparatus with motion dampening

A patient transport system for use with a transport vehicle, the patient transport system comprising:

• a retainer;
• and
• a patient transport apparatus comprising:
• a support structure comprising a patient support surface to support a patient;
• an engagement member coupled to the support structure and configured to engage the retainer when unloading the patient transport apparatus from the transport vehicle;
• and
• a dampener coupled to the support structure and operable in a standby state or a resistance state such that the dampener provides increased resistance to movement of the patient transport apparatus in the resistance state as compared to the standby state, the resistance state configured to be activated by manually moving the patient transport apparatus in a first direction and the standby state configured to be activated by manually moving the patient transport apparatus in a second direction, opposite the first direction.

A patient transport apparatus for use with a retainer of a transport vehicle, the patient transport apparatus comprising:

• a support structure comprising a patient support surface to support a patient;
• an engagement member coupled to the support structure and configured to engage the retainer of the transport vehicle when unloading the patient transport apparatus from the transport vehicle;
• and
• a dampener coupled to the support structure for operably engaging the transport vehicle as the patient transport apparatus moves within the transport vehicle, the dampener being operable between:
• a resistance state activated by manually moving the patient transport apparatus within the transport vehicle in a first direction towards the retainer, and
• a standby state activated by manually moving the patient transport apparatus within the transport vehicle in a second direction away from the retainer;
• and
• wherein the dampener is configured to provide more resistance to movement of the patient transport apparatus relative to the transport vehicle during operation in the resistance state than during operation in the standby state.