Patient transport apparatus with ski assemblies

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

• a seat assembly including a seat frame and a seat section coupled to the seat frame to support the patient;
• a rear assembly coupled to the seat assembly and pivotable between a plurality of rear assembly positions including a first rear assembly position, a second rear assembly position, and a plurality of intermediate rear assembly positions therebetween, the plurality of intermediate rear assembly positions including a rear assembly stair position;
• a front assembly spaced from the rear assembly and coupled to the seat assembly;
• a ski assembly operatively attached to the seat assembly and being selectively pivotable relative to the rear assembly between a plurality of ski positions;
• and
• a carrier coupled between the rear assembly and the ski assembly and being operable between:
• an unlocked state where relative movement between the ski assembly and the rear assembly is permitted, and a locked state where the carrier inhibits relative movement between the ski assembly and the rear assembly, wherein movement of the rear assembly from the first rear assembly position towards the second rear assembly position changes operation of the carrier from the unlocked state to the locked state such that continued movement of the rear assembly into the rear assembly stair position arranges the rear assembly and the ski assembly for engagement with stairs.