Patient transport apparatus with a telescoping handle assembly

A patient transport apparatus for supporting a patient, the patient transport apparatus comprising:

• a seat assembly having a front end and a rear end with a seat frame and defining a patient support surface for supporting the patient;
• a fowler assembly having a fowler frame coupled to a rear end of the seat frame and being moveable relative to the seat assembly, the fowler assembly further defining the patient support surface for supporting the patient, and the fowler assembly including a guide extending along a telescoping axis, and the fowler assembly having a lower handle having a grasping portion spaced from the fowler frame;
• a telescoping handle assembly coupled to the fowler frame, the telescoping handle assembly including,
• a spine arranged for movement along the telescoping axis and moveable relative to the guide along the telescoping axis between a plurality of spine positions including an extended position and a retracted position, the spine defining one or more receivers,
• an upper handle coupled to the spine and moveable with the spine between the extended and retracted positions, the upper handle being spaced farther from the seat assembly in the extended position than in the retracted position;
• and
• a release linkage coupled to the lower handle and having a retainer arranged for engagement with the one or more receivers of the spine to retain the spine in one of the plurality of spine positions relative to the guide, and the release linkage including a release interface arranged for user engagement and operably attached to the retainer to selectively move the retainer out of engagement with the receiver in response to user engagement.