Devices for the assisted loading of a stretcher

A device for assisting loading onto a loading ramp of an ambulance a stretcher provided with a chassis and front pivoting legs pivotally attached to the chassis, said front pivoting legs having idle wheels fit for moving the stretcher, said device comprises:

• at least one driving wheel fixed in a front lower portion of the chassis, in front of the front pivoting legs remote from said idle wheels, in order to engage the loading ramp of the ambulance during loading and unloading of the stretcher;
• said at least one driving wheel is operably connected to a driving member which is electrically powered and controlled to activate the at least one driving wheel at least during the loading of the stretcher into the ambulance,
• a transmission axle to which is fixed a pulley which is connected to the driving member and further connected to the transmission axle are two lateral wheels, at least one of which is the driving wheel, wherein the at least one driving wheel engages a further provided idle wheel via a caterpillar track, and wherein the two lateral wheels are each configured to free wheel at a higher speed than that provided by the driving member;
• and
• at least one sensor coupled to the chassis for detecting an operating position of the stretcher during an unloading phase out of the ambulance.