WO2017190181A1

WO2017190181A1 - Aircraft patient loading system

Info

Publication number: WO2017190181A1
Application number: PCT/AU2017/050320
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian Macdonald; John Oddie
Original assignee: Aero Medical Engineering Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-05-04
Filing date: 2017-04-12
Publication date: 2017-11-09

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aircraft patient loading system. The system includes a stretcher bearer for bearing a patient stretcher. A guide is provided for guiding the stretcher bearer from a base to an entry of an aircraft. Advantageously, the guide may guide the stretcher bearer, in turn, bearing the patient stretcher loaded with a military patient so as to conveniently and safely transport the patient from the base to the entry of a large civilian passenger aircraft during an evacuation.

Description

AIRCRAFT PATIENT LOADING SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an aircraft patient loading system. The present invention has particular, although not exclusive application to loading patients into large civilian passenger aircraft such as Airbus A330, A340, etc.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Stair trucks are used to load passengers onto large civilian passenger aircraft. However, stair trucks are often not found at many military or less commonly used airfields. Furthermore, even if stair trucks are present, the personnel may not be suitably qualified to competently load the aircraft.

[0004] Stair loading of immobile patients on stretchers can be a laborious task, particularly in dark and wet conditions. It is not unusual for the stretcher and patient to weigh in excess of 100-150kg. Traversing the narrow aircraft staircase carrying a stretcher is difficult, and complicated by the fact that many patients are morbidly obese. It is not uncommon that obese patients in particular can be dropped upon loading or unloading of the aircraft which can be detrimental to already fragile health.

[0005] Military evacuation of patients using civilian aircraft is therefore prohibitive owing to the stairs. The preferred embodiment provides an improved aircraft patient loading system for loading stretchered patients onto large civilian passenger aircraft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aircraft patient loading system including:

a stretcher bearer for bearing a patient stretcher; and

a guide for guiding the stretcher bearer from a base to an entry of an aircraft. [0007] Advantageously, the guide may guide the stretcher bearer, in turn, bearing the patient stretcher loaded with a military patient so as to conveniently and safely transport the patient from the base to the entry of a large civilian passenger aircraft during an evacuation.

[0008] The guide may include a rail assembly. The rail assembly may be modular and include serially coupled rail modules. The modules may include complementarily fitting parts. Each module may be manually handled by two people and stowed in the aircraft. The rail assembly may include stabilizer arms to impede twisting or distortion. The guide may include wheels at its base to accommodate for height of the entry. The wheels may be lockable so as to impede rotation. The height of the base to entry may be at least 5 metres. The guide may form a cradle for cradling the stretcher bearer.

[0009] The stretcher bearer may include wheel means. The wheel means may include central and lateral wheels. The wheel means may be locked to the guide.

[00010] The stretcher bearer may include a carriage for carrying the stretcher onto a trolley. The carriage may also carry a seat. The system may include a trolley for receiving a stretcher in the aircraft. The trolley may be dimensioned so that the stretcher is located above arm rests of aircraft seats.

[00011] The system may include a winch. The winch may be suitable for lifting the guide into position. The winch may be suitable for winching the stretcher bearer along the guide from the base to the entry. The winch may be located at the entry. The winch may be coupled to the guide and/or an aircraft trolley. The system may include a brake for braking the stretcher bearer's descent in the event of a winch failure. The winch may withdraw the brake when winching the stretcher bearer. The system may further include a back-up brake for braking the stretcher bearer's descent in the event of a brake failure. The back-up brake may include a centrifugal braking mechanism.

[00012] The stretcher bearer may lock into the guide. The system may include a connection means including two or more connectors for connecting the winch with the guide and for redundancy. Each connector may include a locking pin received in a receptacle. The system may include a visual indicator to indicate correct connection of the winch to the guide. The winch may include a power means including two or more power sources for redundancy. The winch may include one or more handles. The winch may be less than 40kg to facilitate manual handling. The winch may include fasteners for fastening to the aircraft. The winch may include a remote control for remotely controlling the winch operation.

[00013] The system may include the stretcher. The system may further include a carer seat borne by the stretcher bearer. The seat may be located adjacent the stretcher to enable a carer in the seat to provide uninterrupted care to a patient on the stretcher. The seat may be positioned so that the stretcher is located between the seated carer's legs. The stretcher and seat may include safety harnesses. The seat harness may not restrain the carer's torso to facilitate care movement. The stretcher may be releaseably locked to the stretcher bearer. The seat may be releasably locked to the stretcher bearer.

[00014] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aircraft patient loading method including:

bearing a patient stretcher on a stretcher bearer; and

guiding the stretcher bearer from a base to an entry of an aircraft.

[00015] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00016] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[00017] Figure 1 is a side view of a patient loading system for a large civilian passenger aircraft in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[00018] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bottom of the patient loading system of Figure 1 ; [00019] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the top of the patient loading system of Figure 1 ;

[00020] Figure 4 is a lower perspective view of a stretcher bearer of the patient loading system of Figure 1 ;

[00021] Figure 5 is a sectional schematic view of the stretcher bearer of Figure 4;

[00022] Figure 6 is a partial end view of the stretcher bearer of Figure 4;

[00023] Figure 7 is an upper perspective view of an aircraft trolley of the patient loading system of Figure 1 ;

[00024] Figure 8 is a partial upper perspective view of the stretcher bearer of the patient loading system of Figure 1 ;

[00025] Figure 9 is a schematic end view of a stretcher locked into the stretcher bearer of Figure 8;

[00026] Figure 1 0 is a schematic side view of a emergency braking system of the system of Figure 1 ; and

[00027] Figure 1 1 is a schematic plan view of the system of Figure 1 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a patient loading system 100 shown in Figure 1 for a large civilian passenger aircraft 102. The patient loading system 100 includes a stretcher bearer 104 for bearing a patient stretcher 106. An elongate rail guide 108 is provided for guiding the stretcher bearer 104 from a base to an entry of the aircraft 102. Advantageously, the guide 108 guides the stretcher bearer 104, in turn, bearing the patient stretcher 106 loaded with a patient so as to conveniently and safely transport a patient from the base to the entry of the large civilian passenger aircraft 102 during an evacuation.

[00029] The patient loading system 100 further includes a winch 1 10 located at the aircraft entry and coupled to the rail guide 108. The winch 1 10 is suitable for lifting the guide 108 into position, and then winching the stretcher bearer 104 along the guide 108 from the base to the entry of the aircraft 102. The patient loading system 100 further includes an aircraft trolley 1 12 for docking with the winch 1 10. The stretcher 106 can then be safely transferred from the stretcher bearer 104 to the trolley 1 12. The loaded trolley 1 12 can then be wheeled onto the aircraft 102.

[00030] The patient loading system 100 further includes a carer seat 1 14 also borne by the stretcher bearer 104. The system 100 is further described in detail below.

[00031] Turning to Figure 2, the guide 108 includes a modular rail carriage assembly 200. The rail carriage assembly 200 includes four serially coupled rail modules 202 with complementarily fitting male-female end parts. Each module 202 can be manually handled by two people and safely stowed in the aircraft 102 for transport.

[00032] The rail carriage assembly 200 further includes laterally extending stabilizer arms 204 to contact the ground and impede twisting or distortion of the base of the assembly 200. The assembly 200 also includes wheels 206 at its base to roll and thereby accommodate for the variable height of the aircraft entry. The wheels 206 are lockable with locks 208 so as to impede rotation. The height of the base to entry of the aircraft 102 is typically at least 5 metres.

[00033] Turning to Figure 3, the rail carriage assembly 200 effectively forms a cradle 300 for cradling the stretcher bearer 104 in the event of rail carriage assembly component failure. The cradle 300 includes U-shaped frames 302 supporting two lateral rails 304 and two central bottom rails 306.

[00034] Turning to Figures 4 and 5, the stretcher bearer 104 includes Teflon wheel means coupled to its undercarriage 308. The wheel means include central wheels 400 for locking to the bottom load bearing rails 306 of the rail carriage assembly 200. The wheel means further includes lateral wheels 402 for rolling along the lateral rails 304 of the rail carriage assembly 200.

[00035] Turning to Figure 6, the stretcher bearer 104 includes a pair of top rails 600a, 600b above the undercarriage 308. The stretcher bearer 104 further includes a wheeled carriage 602 for carrying the stretcher 106 along the rails 600a, 600b and onto the trolley 1 12. As can best be seen in Figure 7, the trolley 1 12 includes rails 700a, 700b for receiving the wheeled carriage 602. The trolley 1 12 rails 700a, 700b are dimensioned so that stretcher 106 is located above arm rests of aircraft seats. The stretcher bearer 104 or trolley 1 12 can include bridging rails for extending to bridge any gap between the stretcher bearer 104 and trolley 1 12.

[00036] Turning to Figure 8, the carriage 602 also carries the seat 1 14. In particular, the carriage 602 includes a wheeled seat carrier 800 and a wheeled stretcher carrier 802 that can be interlocked together using locks 804. The seat 1 14 is located adjacent the stretcher 106 to enable a carer in the seat 1 14 to provide uninterrupted care to a patient whilst being transported on the stretcher 106. The seat 1 14 is positioned so that the stretcher 106 is located between the seated carer's legs. The stretcher 106 and seat 1 14 include safety harnesses. The seat harness extends across the carer's legs or waist, but does not restrain the carer's torso to facilitate care movement.

[00037] Turning to Figure 9, the stretcher 106 is releasably locked to the carriage 602 of the stretcher bearer 104. In particular, the stretcher 106 includes feet 900 that are received in opposed channels 902 of the stretcher bearer 104.

[00038] Turning to Figure 10, the system 100 includes a brake 1000 for braking the stretcher bearer's descent in the event of a winch failure. A towing line 1002 of the winch 1 10 is coupled to a pivoting fall arrest pawl 1004 of the brake 1000. A

compression spring 1006 is located between the stretcher bearer 104 and the fall arrest pawl 1004 so as to bias the pawl in contact with the rail guide 108. In practice, the towing line 1002 of the winch 1 10 withdraws the pawl 1004 of the brake 1000 from the rail guide 108, compressing spring 1006, when winching the stretcher bearer 104. In the event of a winch failure, the spring 1006 returns the pawl 1004 in contact with the rail guide 108 to arrest the fall of the stretcher bearer 104.

[00039] The system 100 further includes another back-up brake for braking the stretcher bearer's descent in the event of a failure of the brake 1000. The back-up brake includes a centrifugal braking mechanism which increases braking as the stretcher bearer 104 gains speed. The stretcher bearer 104 can also be hauled up the guide 108 using a strap of the back-up brake.

[00040] Turning to Figure 1 1 , the system 100 includes a connection means including two connectors 1 100, 1 102 for connecting the winch 1 10 with the rail guide 108 and for redundancy in the event of failure of one of the connectors 1 100, 1 102. A gravity connector 1 100 includes a vertical winch locking pin 1 104 sitting in a receptacle of the rail guide 108. A mechanical connector 1 102 includes an upright winch locking pin 1 106 sitting in a U-shaped receptacle 1 108 of a head connector 1 1 10 of the rail guide 108. A removable locking keeper 1 1 12 closes the receptacle 1 108 to keep the pin 1 106.

[00041] The system 100 further includes a visual indicator 1 1 14 to indicate correct connection of the winch 1 10 to the rail guide 108. The visual indicator 1 1 14 is hidden when the head connector 1 1 10 is correctly positioned. The winch 1 10 also includes a power means including two or more power sources for redundancy. The winch 1 10 includes one or more winding handles to manually raise the stretcher bearer 104 along the guide 108 in the event of power failure. The winch 1 10 is less than 40kg to facilitate manual handling by two persons, and can be safely stowed away in the aircraft 102 once fasteners fastening the winch 1 10 to the aircraft 102 are released. The winch 1 10 also includes a remote control for remotely controlling the winch operation, as well as controls on the winch itself.

[00042] The system 100 can be disassembled and safely carried on board the aircraft 102, either in the hold or in the passenger cabin. It is sufficiently light that it has no appreciable effect on aircraft capacity or fuel burn. Assembly, use and disassembly can be performed by personnel with minimal training. The system 100 can be safely operated in high wind, rain and darkness. It is readily retrofitted to existing operating aircraft 102 at little cost.

[00043] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00044] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[00045] Reference throughout this specification to One embodiment' or 'an

embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an

embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1 . An aircraft patient loading system including:

a stretcher bearer for bearing a patient stretcher; and

a guide for guiding the stretcher bearer from a base to an entry of an aircraft.

2. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the guide guides the stretcher bearer, in turn, bearing the patient stretcher loaded with a military patient so as to conveniently and safely transport the patient from the base to the entry of a large civilian passenger aircraft during an evacuation.

3. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the guide includes a rail assembly, the rail assembly being modular and including serially coupled rail modules.

4. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the modules include complementarily fitting parts.

5. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 3, wherein each module can be manually handled by two people and stowed in the aircraft.

6. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rail assembly includes stabilizer arms to impede twisting or distortion.

7. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the guide includes wheels at its base to accommodate for height of the entry.

8. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the wheels are lockable so as to impede rotation.

9. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the height of the base to entry is at least 5 metres.

10. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the guide forms a cradle for cradling the stretcher bearer.

1 1 . An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the stretcher bearer includes wheel means.

12. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein the wheel means include central and lateral wheels.

13. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein the wheel means can be locked to the guide.

14. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the stretcher bearer includes a carriage for carrying the stretcher onto a trolley.

15. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the carriage can also carry a seat.

16. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 1 , further including a trolley for receiving a stretcher in the aircraft.

17. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the trolley is dimensioned so that the stretcher is located above arm rests of aircraft seats.

18. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 1 , further including a winch.

19. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the winch can be configured to lift the guide into position.

20. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the winch can be configured to winch the stretcher bearer along the guide from the base to the entry.

21 . An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the winch is located at the entry.

22. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the winch can be coupled to the guide and/or an aircraft trolley.

23. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 18, further including a brake for braking the stretcher bearer's descent in the event of a winch failure.

24. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 23, wherein the winch withdraws the brake when winching the stretcher bearer.

25. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 23, wherein further including a back-up brake for braking the stretcher bearer's descent in the event of a brake failure.

26. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the back-up brake includes a centrifugal braking mechanism.

27. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 18, including a connection means including two or more connectors for connecting the winch with the guide and for redundancy.

28. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 27, wherein each connector includes a locking pin received in a receptacle.

29. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 27, including a visual indicator to indicate correct connection of the winch to the guide.

30. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the winch includes a power means including two or more power sources for redundancy.

31 . An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the winch includes one or more handles.

32. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the winch weighs less than 40kg to facilitate manual handling.

33. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the winch includes fasteners for fastening to the aircraft.

34. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the winch includes a remote control for remotely controlling the winch operation.

35. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the system includes the stretcher.

36. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 35, further including a carer seat borne by the stretcher bearer.

37. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 36, wherein the seat is located adjacent the stretcher to enable a carer in the seat to provide uninterrupted care to a patient on the stretcher.

38. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 37, wherein the seat is positioned so that the stretcher is located between the seated carer's legs.

39. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 36, wherein the stretcher and seat include safety harnesses.

40. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 39, wherein the seat harness does not restrain the carer's torso to facilitate care movement.

41 . An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 36, wherein the seat is releasably locked to the stretcher bearer.

42. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 35, wherein the stretcher is releaseably locked to the stretcher bearer.

43. An aircraft patient loading system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the stretcher bearer locks into the guide.

44. An aircraft patient loading method including:

bearing a patient stretcher on a stretcher bearer; and

guiding the stretcher bearer from a base to an entry of an aircraft.