GB495737A - Improvements in collapsible multi-tier supporting-structures, for example for ambulances - Google Patents

Abstract

495,737. Ambulance vehicles; racks. LINZEE, N. H. Oct. 22, 1937, No. 28937. [Class 108 (i)] [Also in Group XIV] A collapsable, multi-tier supporting structure, more particularly for supporting stretchers in a vehicle adapted to be converted for use as an ambulance, comprises superposed frames or shelves removably attached along one edge to a wall, a leg or legs 16 depending from an upper frame 15 being hinged thereto about a horizontal axis or axes which are at a substantial angle to the horizontal axis or axes about which a leg or legs 19 are hinged to the next lower frame 18, means being provided for holding the lower ends of the upper legs to upward extensions 21 of the lower legs to maintain the structure rigid when erected. A two - tier structure fitted inside a motor lorry is shown in which the rectangular iron frames 15, 18 have channelsection members 11, 12 secured in cut-away parts of angle-iron end members 13, 14 thus leaving open the ends of the members 11, 12 so that the legs of a stretcher may be passed along the channels. The supporting legs 16, 19 are hinged at 17, 20 respectively to the outer ends of the members 13, 14 about axes at rightangles to each other so that the pairs of legs may be folded respectively longitudinally and transversely of the frames. The lower ends of the legs 16 are adapted to be secured to the upward extensions 21 of the legs 19 by slidable sleeves 22 on the legs 16, the downward movement of the sleeves being limited by pins 23. The frames are detachably secured to the side of the vehicle body by studs 24, Fig. 2, fixed to the body engaging slots 26 in brackets fixed to the frames, wing nuts 25 locking the parts together. To prevent swaying, the upper frame 15 has pivoted to its member 14, at 29, a strut 28 adapted to be detachably secured to the adjacent end wall of the vehicle. The studs 24 may be carried by a common fixing plate which in the case of a vehicle with non-rigid sides, may be secured to the floor. The fixing means may be bifurcated and have a horizontal pivot axis so that the frames may be swung against the vehicle wall. The structure may have more than two tiers and the members forming a frame may be pivotably connected together so that they may collapse in the plane of the frame.