Folding Chair Cot for Use with Emergency Vehicles

Abstract

A collapsible emergency vehicle chair cot that includes a support system and a movement system is described. The movement system is coupled to the support system and utilizes rotational movement to assist in moving the chair cot over a surface. The support system and movement system are configured to be collapsible to facilitate using the chair cot with an emergency vehicle. The chair cot may include at least two removable platforms for supporting a patient in a seated position. Furthermore, the chair cot may include one or more options for transporting equipment, including an equipment transport basket that may take the place of the removable platforms.

1 . A chair cot configured for use with an emergency vehicle, comprising:
 at least two removable platforms for supporting a patient in a seated position during transportation;   a removable equipment carrier configured to replace the removable platforms for using the chair cot to transport equipment instead of the patient;   a support system reversibly connectable to the at least two platforms and to the removable equipment carrier, the support system being configured to support the at least two platforms and alternatively the removable equipment carrier during transportation; and wherein the support system is configured to substantially collapse;   a movement system coupled to the support system that is configured to allow the chair cot to move over a surface, wherein the movement system includes a motor; and   a control system coupled to the movement system that allows one or more individuals to control the operation of the movement system.   
     
     
         2 . The chair cot of  claim 1 , wherein the support system comprises a back frame and a seat frame, and wherein the equipment carrier comprises:
 a base reversibly attachable to the seat frame; and   a back reversibly attachable to the back frame.   
     
     
         3 . The chair cot of  claim 2 , wherein the base of the equipment carrier is not directly connected to the back of the equipment carrier. 
     
     
         4 . The chair cot of  claim 2 , wherein the equipment carrier further comprises:
 a front attached to the base; and   a pair of sides attached to the base, wherein the base, front, sides, and back of the equipment carrier encompass a space in which to secure equipment for transport.   
     
     
         5 . The chair cot of  claim 4 , wherein the equipment carrier comprises features specifically designed to receive, secure, and transport a specific type of medical equipment. 
     
     
         6 . The chair cot of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the back of the equipment carrier and the base of the equipment carrier is configured to receive and secure a piece of medical equipment. 
     
     
         7 . The chair cot of  claim 6 , wherein the piece of medical equipment received and secured is an oxygen tank. 
     
     
         8 . A chair cot configured for use with an emergency vehicle and further configured for selective transitioning between powered use on stairs and non-powered rolling on flat surfaces, comprising:
 an adjustable back support for supporting a patient in a seated position during transportation;   an adjustable seat for supporting a patient in a seated position during transportation;   a support system coupled to the back support and the seat and configured to support the back support and the seat during transportation, wherein the support system is configured to substantially collapse when positioned within the emergency vehicle;   a movement system coupled to the support system that is configured to allow the chair cot to move over a surface;   a control system coupled to the movement system that allows one or more individuals to control the operation of the movement system; and   an equipment carrier reversibly attached to the adjustable back support and the adjustable seat for transporting equipment instead of patients.   
     
     
         9 . The chair cot of  claim 8 , wherein the equipment carrier comprises:
 a base reversibly attachable to the seat; and   a back reversibly attachable to the back support.   
     
     
         10 . The chair cot of  claim 9 , wherein the base of the equipment carrier is not directly connected to the back of the equipment carrier. 
     
     
         11 . The chair cot of  claim 9 , wherein the equipment carrier further comprises:
 a front attached to the base; and   a pair of sides attached to the base, wherein the base, front, sides, and back of the equipment carrier encompass a space in which to secure equipment for transport.   
     
     
         12 . The chair cot of  claim 11 , wherein the equipment carrier comprises features specifically designed to receive, secure, and transport a specific type of medical equipment. 
     
     
         13 . The chair cot of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the back of the equipment carrier and the base of the equipment carrier is configured to receive and secure a piece of medical equipment. 
     
     
         14 . The chair cot of  claim 13 , wherein the piece of medical equipment received and secured is an oxygen tank. 
     
     
         15 . An equipment carrier for reversible attachment to an adjustable chair cot, comprising:
 a base configured to be reversibly attached to a seat portion of a chair cot; and   a back configured to be reversibly attached to a back portion of the chair cot without being directly connected to the base, whereby the back portion of the chair cot may be freely adjusted relative to the seat portion of the chair cot without interference between the base of the equipment carrier and the back of the equipment carrier.   
     
     
         16 . The equipment carrier of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a front attached to the base; and   a pair of sides attached to the base, wherein the base, front, sides, and back of the equipment carrier encompass a space in which to secure equipment for transport.   
     
     
         17 . The equipment carrier of  claim 16 , wherein the front and sides are hingedly attached to the base. 
     
     
         18 . The equipment carrier of  claim 15 , further comprising features specifically designed to receive, secure, and transport a specific type of medical equipment. 
     
     
         19 . The equipment carrier of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the back of the equipment carrier and the base of the equipment carrier is configured to receive and secure a piece of medical equipment. 
     
     
         20 . The equipment carrier of  claim 19 , wherein the piece of medical equipment received and secured is an oxygen tank.