Stretcher having pivotable and lockable patient support sections

A patient support apparatus having a head end and a foot end, the patient support apparatus comprising:

• a base,
• a deck supported above the base and being configured to support a patient, the deck having a first section, a second section pivotable relative to the first section, and a third section that is near the head end and that is pivotable relative to the second section,
• a first locking mechanism having a locked position and a released position, the second section being locked relative to the first section when the first locking mechanism is in the locked position, the second section being pivotable relative to the first section when the first locking mechanism is in the released position,
• a first lever coupled to the third section and movable between a first position and a second position, the first locking mechanism being in the locked position when the first lever is in the first position, the first locking mechanism being in the released position when the first lever is in the second position,
• a second locking mechanism having a locked position and a released position, the third section being locked relative to the second section when the second locking mechanism is in the locked position, the third section being pivotable relative to the second section when the section locking mechanism is in the released position, and
• a second lever coupled to the third section and movable between a first position and a second position, the second locking mechanism being in the locked position when the second lever is in the first position, the second locking mechanism being in the released position when the second lever is in the second position.

A patient support apparatus comprising

• a base,
• a patient support deck supported above the base, the patient support deck comprising a first section having a first frame and a first mattress portion, a second section having a second frame and a second mattress portion, and a third section having a third frame and a third mattress portion, the second section being pivotable relative to the first section, the third section being pivotable relative to the second section,
• a first locking mechanism that, when locked, prevents the second section from pivoting relative to the first section,
• a second locking mechanism that, when locked, prevents the third section from pivoting relative to the second section about the second pivot axis,
• a first lever associated with the first locking mechanism and movable to unlock the first locking mechanism to allow the second section to pivot relative to the first section, and
• a second lever associated with the second locking mechanism and movable to unlock the second locking mechanism to allow the third section to pivot relative to the second section, the first and second levers being supported for movement relative to the third frame and situated close enough to the third frame so as to be grippable simultaneously with the third frame.

A patient support apparatus having a head end and foot end, the patient support apparatus comprising:

• a base,
• a deck supported above the base, the deck including a first section, a second section adjustably movable relative to the first section, a third section near the head end adjustably movable relative to the second section,
• a first locking mechanism configured to lock the second section relative to the first section,
• a first lever near the head end, the first lever being selectively movable to unlock the first locking mechanism,
• a second locking mechanism configured to lock the third section relative to the second section, and
• a second lever near the head end, the second lever being selectively movable to unlock the second locking mechanism.