A FRAME FOR TRANSPORTING AND LOADING SYSTEM FOR A STRETCHER

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a frame for transporting a stretcher and a system for loading a stretcher.

[0002] The term stretcher, or litter, refers to a device for supporting a person, generally infirm, configured to allow the suitable movement of the same. Stretchers are widely used in the medical and paramedical professions in order to allow the transfer of a patient from the location in which she/he is located to a location suitable for the administration of adequate medical support.

[0003] In particular, stretchers are part of the basic equipment with which a common ambulance is equipped in order to allow paramedic staff to provide the necessary aid to people in need, for example at the location of a road accident or at the location where a person has fallen ill.

[0004] In these situations, the person is placed lying down on the stretcher, in a position suitable for limiting the occurrence of complications, in order to be able to transport the person onto the ambulance, and thanks to it also to transport the patient to a facility designed to provide suitable health care, for example a hospital.

[0005] Stretchers are also widely used inside the hospital, allowing the hospital staff to transport patients who cannot walk inside the facility, allowing the patients to have the necessary therapies they must undergo performed. Stretchers are generally connected to suitable transport frames configured to allow the support thereof and facilitate their movement.

[0006] In particular, the aforementioned structures have movement modules equipped with wheels which allow the responsible staff to move the stretcher by exerting force on the frame.

[0007] Furthermore, these frames can comprise articulated members which allow an adjustment of the positioning of the stretcher with respect to the ground. An example of said frames is described in the document WO2014134321. In the movement of the aforementioned frames, one particularly delicate operation is loading the frame onto a vehicle, for example an ambulance, in order to transfer the patient to a location which is different from that in which it is located.

[0008] The most common transport frames allow a manual loading of the stretcher, entrusting the task to the paramedic staff. In substance, the frame has movement means which can be folded and adjusted by the operators and are closed during the loading of the patient onto the ambulance. Disadvantageously, this operation requires the use of skilled staff for the proper folding of the movement means. Still more disadvantageously, an erroneous application of the loading procedure can lead to the movement of the patient lying on a stretcher, resulting in a variation in the position in which the patient was initially placed.

[0009] The frames of more modern conception have assisted loading devices. In substance, once a portion of the frame is rested on the stretcher, an electromechanical system promotes a progressive folding of the movement means until it is possible to insert the patient in the ambulance. Disadvantageously, these systems still rely on the care of the operator during this fundamental operation.

[0010] This drawback is particularly disadvantageous in so far as it can be the cause of an incorrect positioning of the patient during the transport in an ambulance.

[0011] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a frame for transporting a stretcher capable of allowing a careful loading on an external supporting surface which does not require specific operator skills.

[0012] The stated technical task and specified objects are substantially achieved by a frame for transporting a stretcher comprising the features disclosed in one or more of the claims.

[0013] The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.

[0014] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative and thus non-limiting description of an embodiment of a frame for transporting a stretcher.

[0015] This description will be set out below with reference to the appended drawings, which are provided solely for indicative and therefore non-limiting purposes, in which:

• figure 1 is a schematic view of a frame for transporting a stretcher in accordance with one embodiment;
• figures 2-6 are a schematic representation of a sequence of operating conditions of a frame for transporting a stretcher in accordance with the present invention.

[0016] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the reference number 1 has been used to generally designate a supporting frame for a stretcher, indicated hereinafter as frame 1.

[0017] As can be seen in the embodiment shown in the appended figures, the frame 1 comprises two movement modules 2.

[0018] Each of these movement modules 2 comprises two wheels 3 respectively connected to the ends of a supporting crosspiece 4. In particular, the supporting crosspiece 4 is connected to supporting means 5 through a first connection portion C1.

[0019] For each movement module 2, these supporting means 5 comprise a first four-bar linkage mechanism 6 mounted on the movement module 2 and a second four-bar linkage mechanism 7 interposed between the first four-bar linkage mechanism 6 and a supporting platform 8 for a stretcher "B". The supporting platform 8 is configured for receiving in coupling a table of a stretcher "B" by reversible connection means (not shown in the appended figures) which allow a reversible connection between the supporting platform and the aforementioned stretcher "B". Preferably, these reversible connection means comprise shape couplings of the male-female type and/or couplings of the screw-bolt type.

[0020] As can be seen in the appended figures, the aforementioned movement modules 2 are respectively connected to a front portion 8a of the supporting platform 8 and to a rear portion 8b of the supporting platform 8.

[0021] The first linkage mechanism 6 is connected to the second linkage mechanism 7 through a second connection portion C2. Moreover, the aforementioned second linkage mechanism 7 is connected to a crosspiece 9 by means of a third connection portion C3.

[0022] The crosspiece 9 is preferably equipped with receiving seats designed to allow a coupling, preferably a shape coupling, with the supporting platform 8. In accordance with a preferred embodiment the receiving seats are U-shaped to receive respective longitudinal members "L" of the supporting platform 8.

[0023] The relative movement of the aforementioned four-bar linkage mechanisms 6, 7 allows an adjustment of the positioning of the stretcher "B", connected thereto by means of the supporting platform 8, along a substantially vertical direction.

[0024] In particular, the coordinated adjustment of the supporting means 5 of the movement modules 2 connected respectively to the front portion 8a and rear portion 8b of the platform 8 allows compensating for the unevenness of the surface on which the frame 1 is moved.

[0025] In this way the differentiated adjustment of the supporting means 5 allows, during an operational movement of the frame 1, varying the angle of orientation of the supporting platform 8 corresponding to an angle of inclination with respect to a transverse direction of the stretcher "B".

[0026] In accordance with a further embodiment not shown in the appended figures, the four-bar linkage mechanisms 6, 7 can be absent and the supporting means 5 can comprise a robotic arm having a first portion connected to the movement module 2 and a second portion connected to the supporting platform 8.

[0027] In this case the supporting means 5 are designed to allow the adjustment of the height and at least one angle of orientation of the aforementioned supporting platform 8 during an operational movement of the frame 1, allowing to compensate for irregularities and/or inclinations of the surface on which the frame is moved while maintaining a predetermined spatial orientation of the supporting platform 8, for example a horizontal orientation with respect to an absolute reference system.

[0028] According to this embodiment, the supporting crosspiece 4 of the movement module 2 can also be realised in the form of a drive shaft on which the wheels 3 are directly placed.

[0029] In accordance with different embodiments not shown in the appended figures, the movement module 2 can comprise a different number of wheels 3 and the aforementioned wheels 3 can have a different arrangement from the previously mentioned arrangement without altering the inventive concept of the present invention.

[0030] Preferably these supporting means 5 are actuated through the use of at least one electromechanical actuator (not shown in the appended figures). These actuators, preferably, are at least partially connected to the movement module 2.

[0031] The frame 1 comprises a control module "C" configured for at least realising a loading of the transport frame 1 on an external supporting surface 1000, for example a supporting surface of an ambulance.

[0032] This control module "C" is operatively connected to detection means for detecting the height of a loading portion "P" of the supporting platform 8 with respect to the aforementioned external supporting surface 1000. Preferably this loading portion "P" of the supporting platform 8 comprises at least one supporting wheel 100 designed to rest on the external supporting surface in a first loading step.

[0033] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention illustrated in figures 2-6, the frame 1 comprises a first pair of supporting wheels 101 positioned in the front portion 8a of the supporting platform 8 and a second pair of supporting wheels 102 positioned in a substantially central portion of the aforementioned supporting platform 8.

[0034] In particular, the term "front" refers to the direction of loading of the frame 1 on the external supporting surface.

[0035] Advantageously the supporting wheels 100 simplify the operation of loading the frame 1 onto the external supporting surface, favouring the movement of the supporting platform 8.

[0036] The aforementioned detection means can comprise an optical sensor 10, preferably of the laser type, associated with the frame 1 and designed to detect the height of the supporting platform 8 with respect to the external supporting surface 1000. The control module associated with the optical sensor 10 automatically actuates the supporting means 5 such that the loading portion "P" of the supporting platform 8 is placed at a predetermined height with respect to the external supporting surface.

[0037] In addition or as an alternative to the optical sensor 10, at least part of the detection means can be associated with the external supporting surface 1000 and comprise for example a sensor 11 associated with the external supporting surface 1000 and configured for generating a signal indicating the height of the external supporting surface itself. In this case the control module "C" comprises a communication module configured for receiving this signal and for processing the height of the loading portion "P" of the supporting platform 8 with respect to the external supporting surface 1000 as a function of the signal that is sent and of the configuration of the supporting means 5.

[0038] Preferably, the aforementioned signal is a wireless type signal, for example a Bluetooth signal.

[0039] According to different embodiments of the present invention, the communication module can comprise wired connectors and the signal can be of a different type without altering the inventive concept of the present invention.

[0040] The control module receives the signal from the sensor 11 and automatically actuates the supporting means 5 in such a way that the loading portion "P" of the supporting platform 8 is placed at a predetermined height with respect to the external supporting surface.

[0041] In particular, the aforementioned predetermined height is such that the loading portion "P" is parallel to the external supporting surface and the supporting wheel 100 rests on the external supporting surface in a first step of loading the stretcher "B".

[0042] The frame 1 comprises a load cell interposed between the supporting platform 8 and the supporting means 5. In this case the control module "C" is operatively connected to the load cell to detect a condition of resting of the loading portion "P" on the external supporting surface 1000 during the first loading step and to actuate the supporting means 5 so that they adopt a loading condition in which they are enclosed or collected within the space of the supporting platform.

[0043] The system comprises at least one first load cell 12a located in a front portion 8a of the frame 1, between the supporting platform 8 and a front movement module 2a and at least one second load cell 12b located in a rear portion 8b of the frame 1, between the supporting platform 8 and a rear movement module 2b.

[0044] In a second embodiment a first pair of load cells 12a is provided positioned in a front portion 8a of the transport frame 1 between the supporting platform 8 and a front movement module 2a and a second pair of load cells 12b is positioned in a rear portion 8b of the transport frame 1 between the supporting platform 8 and a rear movement module 2b.

[0045] The system with two pairs of load cells is described below, being a functionally equivalent variant to the system equipped with load cells.

[0046] In particular, the first pair of load cells 12a is operatively connected to the control module "C" for controlling the front movement module 2a as soon as the resting of the first pair of wheels 101 is detected, and the second pair of load cells 12b is operatively connected to the control module "C" to control the rear movement module 2b as soon as the resting of the second pair of wheels 102 is detected.

[0047] If the frame 1 comprises an automatic adjusting mechanism of the height and/or inclination of the supporting platform 8, the control module "C" is preferably configured for inhibiting the action of this automatic adjusting mechanism during the step of loading on the external supporting surface, following the detection of resting carried out by the load cell(s).

[0048] In use, during a loading step, a user places the frame 1 near the external supporting surface 1000, for example the platform of an ambulance. The control module "C" detects the height of the loading portion "P" of the supporting platform 8 with respect to the aforementioned external supporting surface and automatically actuates the supporting means 5 to bring the first pair of supporting wheels 101 resting on the external supporting surface (figure 2). The detection of the height of the loading portion "P" can occur for example as a result of the reading performed by the optical sensor 10 that directly detects the height of the loading portion with respect to the external supporting surface and/or by the interaction between the control module "C" and the sensor 11 associated with the external supporting surface 1000 which indicates the height at which the external supporting surface itself is located.

[0049] Alternatively to the optical sensor, the detection of the height of the loading portion "P" can be carried out through a radio frequency sensor, or a radio altimeter.

[0050] When at least one load cell detects that the first pair of supporting wheels 101 is arranged resting on the external supporting surface, the control module actuates the supporting means 5 connected to the front movement module 2a so that they automatically adopt the loading condition in which they are enclosed or collected within the space of the supporting platform 8 (figure 3).

[0051] Subsequently the user can proceed with the movement of the frame 1 in the insertion direction on the external supporting surface (figure 4). In substance, the user progressively pushes the frame 1 inside the ambulance. During this step the load cells detect a plurality of measurements in such a way that they determine the positioning of the frame with respect to the external supporting surface. These measurements are processed by the control module in such a way that, when the second pair of wheels 102 is also resting on the external supporting surface, the control module actuates the supporting means 5 connected to the rear movement module 2b so that they automatically adopt the loading condition in which they are enclosed or collected within the space of the supporting platform 8 (figure 5). The user proceeds, furthermore, to the movement of the frame 1 on the external supporting surface until the entire frame is completely positioned on the aforementioned external supporting surface (figure 6). In this way, the frame is completely positioned inside the ambulance.

[0052] According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a loading system for a stretcher comprising the aforementioned transport frame 1 and said detection means comprising the sensor 11 associated with the external supporting surface 1000. In the loading system the control module "C" comprises the communication module configured for receiving the signal from the sensor 11 as described previously.

[0053] It can therefore be seen that the present invention achieves the intended objects thanks to a frame for transporting a stretcher capable of allowing the loading of the patient on an ambulance under optimum conditions thanks to the presence of a control module that allows accurately and automatically adjusting the positioning of the stretcher with respect to an external supporting surface.

[0054] Advantageously, the transport frame ensures an accurate positioning of the transported person in the stretcher in both the movement condition and in the transport condition inside an ambulance.

[0055] Advantageously, the adjustment of the frame with respect to the ambulance is obtained automatically and does not require the action of an operator. Moreover, the use of the transport frame is intuitive and does not require the intervention of a specialised operator.

Claims

1. A frame (1) for transporting a stretcher, comprising:

- at least one movement module (2) equipped with wheels (3) and configured for moving on a surface;

- a supporting platform (8) configured for receiving in coupling a table of a stretcher (B);

- supporting means (5) interposed between the at least one movement module (2) and the supporting platform (8), the supporting means comprising motor-driven articulated means configured for adjusting the height of the stretcher relative to the surface;

- a control module (C) operatively connected to detection means for measuring the height of a loading portion of the supporting platform (8) with respect to an external supporting surface (1000), said control module (C) being operatively connected to the supporting means (5) for actuating them automatically in such a way as to position the loading portion (P) of the supporting platform (8) at a predetermined height relative to the external supporting surface (1000), the predetermined height being such that the loading portion (P) is parallel to the external supporting surface (1000) and rests on the external supporting surface (1000) in a first step of loading the stretcher (B) on the external supporting surface, characterized in

- at least one load cell interposed between the supporting platform (8) and the supporting means (5) and operatively connected to the control module (C), the load cell being configured for detecting the resting of the loading portion (P) on the external supporting surface (1000) during the first loading step and the control module being configured for controlling the supporting means (5) in such a way that they adopt a loading condition wherein they are enclosed or collected within the space of the supporting platform (8) when the load cell detects the resting of the loading portion (P) on the external supporting surface (1000)
said load cell comprising at least one first load cell (12a) located in a front portion (8a) of the transport frame (1) between the supporting platform (8) and a front movement module (2a) and at least one second load cell (12b) located in a rear portion (8b) of the frame (1) between the supporting platform (8) and a rear movement module (2b), wherein the first load cell is operatively connected to the control module for controlling the front movement module (2a) in such a way that it adopts the loading condition and the second load cell is operatively connected to the control module for controlling the rear movement module (2b) in such a way that it adopts the loading condition.

2. The transport frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection means comprise a sensor (11) associated with the external supporting surface (1000) configured for generating a signal indicating the height of the external supporting surface and wherein the control module comprises a communication module configured for receiving the signal and configured for processing the height of the loading portion (P) of the supporting platform (8) with respect to the external supporting platform (1000) as a function of the signal and of the configuration of the supporting means (5).

3. The transport frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the loading portion (P) of the supporting platform (8) comprises at least one supporting wheel (100) designed to rest on the external supporting surface (1000) during the first loading step.

4. The transport frame according to claim 3, comprising a first pair of wheels (101) positioned in a front portion (8a) of the supporting platform (8) and a second pair of wheels (102) positioned in a substantially central portion of the supporting platform (8).

5. The transport frame according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the detection means are at least partially associated with the frame and comprise, for example, at least one optical sensor (10) designed to measure the height of the supporting surface (8) with respect to the external supporting surface (1000) or a radiofrequency sensor (radio altimeter) designed to measure the height of the surface.

6. A loading system for a stretcher, comprising:

a transport frame (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and wherein the detection means comprise a sensor (11) associated with the external supporting platform (1000) configured for generating a signal indicating the height of the external supporting surface,

wherein the control module (C) comprises a communication module configured for receiving a signal from the sensor (11) and is configured for processing the height of the loading portion (P) of the supporting platform (8) with respect to the external supporting platform (1000) as a function of the signal and of the configuration of the supporting means (5).

Ansprüche

1. Rahmen (1) zum Transport einer Trage, umfassend:

- zumindest ein Bewegungsmodul (2), das mit Rädern (3) ausgestattet und zum Bewegen auf einer Oberfläche konfiguriert ist;

- eine Stützplattform (8), die zum Aufnehmen für das Koppeln eines Tisches einer Trage (B) konfiguriert ist;

- Stützmittel (5), die zwischen dem zumindest einen Bewegungsmodul (2) und der Stützplattform (8) angeordnet sind, wobei die Stützmittel motorgetriebene Gelenkmittel umfassen, die zum Einstellen der Höhe der Trage relativ zur Oberfläche konfiguriert sind;

- ein Steuermodul (C), das betriebswirksam mit Erfassungsmitteln verbunden ist, um die Höhe eines Ladeabschnitts der Stützplattform (8) in Bezug auf eine äußere Stützfläche (1000) zu messen, wobei das Steuermodul (C) betriebswirksam mit den Stützmitteln (5) zu deren automatischer Betätigung verbunden ist, sodass der Ladeabschnitt (P) der Stützplattform (8) in einer vorbestimmten Höhe relativ zur äußeren Stützfläche (1000) positioniert wird, wobei die vorbestimmte Höhe derart ist, dass der Ladeabschnitt (P) parallel zur äußeren Stützfläche (1000) verläuft und auf der äußeren Stützfläche (1000) in einem ersten Schritt zum Laden der Trage (B) auf die äußere Stützfläche aufliegt, gekennzeichnet durch

- zumindest eine Wägezelle, die zwischen der Stützplattform (8) und den Stützmitteln (5) angeordnet und betriebswirksam mit dem Steuermodul (C) verbunden ist, wobei die Wägezelle zum Erfassen des Aufliegens des Ladeabschnitts (P) auf der äußeren Stützfläche (1000) während des ersten Ladeschritts konfiguriert ist und wobei das Steuermodul so konfiguriert ist, dass es die Stützmittel (5) so steuert, dass sie einen Ladezustand einnehmen, in dem sie innerhalb des Raums der Stützplattform (8) eingeschlossen oder eingezogen sind, wenn die Wägezelle das Aufliegen des Ladeabschnitts (P) auf der äußeren Stützfläche (1000) erfasst,
wobei die Wägezelle zumindest eine erste Wägezelle (12a), die sich in einem vorderen Abschnitt (8a) des Transportrahmens (1) zwischen der Stützplattform (8) und einem vorderen Bewegungsmodul (2a) befindet und zumindest eine zweite Wägezelle (12b), die sich in einem hinteren Abschnitt (8b) des Rahmens (1) zwischen der Stützplattform (8) und einem hinteren Bewegungsmodul (2b) befindet, umfasst, wobei die erste Wägezelle betriebswirksam mit dem Steuermodul zur Steuerung des vorderen Bewegungsmoduls (2a) verbunden ist, so dass es den Ladezustand einnimmt, und die zweite Wägezelle betriebswirksam mit dem Steuermodul zur Steuerung des hinteren Bewegungsmoduls (2b) verbunden ist, sodass es den Ladezustand einnimmt.

2. Transportrahmen nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Erfassungsmittel einen Sensor (11) umfassen, der mit der äußeren Stützfläche (1000) assoziiert ist, der zum Erzeugen eines Signals konfiguriert ist, das die Höhe der äußeren Stützfläche anzeigt, und wobei das Steuermodul ein Kommunikationsmodul umfasst, das zum Empfangen des Signals konfiguriert ist und zum Verarbeiten der Höhe des Ladeabschnitts (P) der Stützplattform (8) in Bezug auf die äußere Stützplattform (1000) als Funktion des Signals und der Konfiguration der Stützmittel (5) konfiguriert ist.

3. Transportrahmen nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Ladeabschnitt (P) der Stützplattform (8) zumindest ein Stützrad (100) umfasst, das so ausgelegt ist, dass es während des ersten Ladenschritts auf der äußeren Stützfläche (1000) aufliegt.

4. Transportrahmen nach Anspruch 3, umfassend ein erstes Paar von Rädern (101), die in einem vorderen Abschnitt (8a) der Stützplattform (8) positioniert sind, und ein zweites Paar von Rädern (102), die in einem im Wesentlichen zentralen Abschnitt der Stützplattform (8) positioniert sind.

5. Transportrahmen nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Erfassungsmittel mit dem Rahmen zumindest teilweise assoziiert sind und beispielsweise zumindest einen optischen Sensor (10) umfassen, der zum Messen der Höhe der Stützfläche (8) in Bezug auf die äußere Stützfläche (1000) oder einen Hochfrequenzsensor (Funkhöhenmesser) zur Messung der Oberflächenhöhe ausgelegt sind.

6. Ladesystem für eine Trage, umfassend:

einen Transportrahmen (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Erfassungsmittel einen Sensor (11) umfassen, der mit der äußeren Stützplattform (1000) assoziiert ist, der zum Erzeugen eines Signals konfiguriert ist, das die Höhe der äußeren Stützfläche anzeigt,

wobei das Steuermodul (C) ein Kommunikationsmodul umfasst, das zum Empfangen des Signals vom Sensor (11) konfiguriert ist und zum Verarbeiten der Höhe des Ladeabschnitts (P) der Stützplattform (8) in Bezug auf die äußere Stützplattform (1000) als Funktion des Signals und der Konfiguration der Stützmittel (5) konfiguriert ist.

Revendications

1. Cadre (1) pour transporter un brancard, comprenant :

- au moins un module de déplacement (2) équipé de roues (3) et configuré pour se déplacer sur une surface ;

- une plate-forme de support (8) configurée pour recevoir en accouplement une table d'un brancard (B) ;

- des moyens de support (5) interposés entre le au moins un module de déplacement (2) et la plate-forme de support (8), les moyens de support comprenant des moyens articulés motorisés configurés pour régler la hauteur du brancard par rapport à la surface ;

- un module de commande (C) relié de manière opérationnelle à des moyens de détection pour mesurer la hauteur d'une partie de chargement de la plate-forme de support (8) par rapport à une surface de support externe (1000), ledit module de commande (C) étant relié de manière opérationnelle aux moyens de support (5) pour les actionner automatiquement de manière à positionner la partie de chargement (P) de la plate-forme de support (8) à une hauteur prédéterminée par rapport à la surface de support externe (1000), la hauteur prédéterminée étant telle que la partie de chargement (P) est parallèle à la surface de support externe (1000) et repose sur la surface de support externe (1000) dans une première étape de chargement du brancard (B) sur la surface de support externe, caractérisé par

- au moins une cellule de charge interposée entre la plate-forme de support (8) et les moyens de support (5) et reliée de manière opérationnelle au module de commande (C), la cellule de charge étant configurée pour détecter l'appui de la partie de chargement (P) sur la surface de support externe (1000) pendant la première étape de chargement et le module de commande étant configuré pour commander les moyens de support (5) de manière à ce qu'ils adoptent une condition de chargement dans laquelle ils sont enfermés ou rassemblés dans l'espace de la plate-forme de support (8) lorsque la cellule de charge détecte le repos de la partie de chargement (P) sur la surface de support externe (1000), ladite cellule de charge comprenant au moins une première cellule de charge (12a) située dans une partie avant (8a) du cadre de transport (1) entre la plate-forme de support (8) et un module de déplacement avant (2a) et au moins une deuxième cellule de charge (12b) située dans une partie arrière (8b) du cadre (1) entre la plate-forme de support (8) et un module de mouvement arrière (2b), dans lequel la première cellule de charge est reliée de manière opérationnelle au module de commande pour commander le module de déplacement avant (2a) de telle sorte qu'elle adopte la condition de chargement et la deuxième cellule de charge est reliée de manière opérationnelle au module de commande pour commander le module de mouvement arrière (2b) de telle sorte qu'elle adopte la condition de chargement.

2. Cadre de transport selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les moyens de détection comprennent un capteur (11) associé à la surface de support externe (1000) configuré pour générer un signal indiquant la hauteur de la surface de support externe et dans lequel le module de commande comprend un module de communication configuré pour recevoir le signal et configuré pour traiter la hauteur de la partie de chargement (P) de la plate-forme de support (8) par rapport à la plate-forme de support externe (1000) en fonction du signal et de la configuration des moyens de support (5).

3. Cadre de transport selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la partie de chargement (P) de la plate-forme de support (8) comprend au moins une roue de support (100) conçue pour s'appuyer sur la surface de support externe (1000) pendant la première étape de chargement.

4. Cadre de transport selon la revendication 3, comprenant une première paire de roues (101) positionnée dans une partie avant (8a) de la plate-forme de support (8) et une deuxième paire de roues (102) positionnée dans une partie sensiblement centrale de la plate-forme de support (8).

5. Cadre de transport selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les moyens de détection sont au moins partiellement associés au cadre et comprennent, par exemple, au moins un capteur optique (10) conçu pour mesurer la hauteur de la surface de support (8) par rapport à la surface de support externe (1000) ou un capteur de radiofréquence (radioaltimètre) conçu pour mesurer la hauteur de la surface.

6. Système de chargement pour un brancard, comprenant :

un cadre de transport (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes et dans lequel les moyens de détection comprennent un capteur (11) associé à la plate-forme de support externe (1000) configuré pour générer un signal indiquant la hauteur de la surface de support externe,

dans lequel le module de commande (C) comprend un module de communication configuré pour recevoir un signal du capteur (11) et est configuré pour traiter la hauteur de la partie de chargement (P) de la plate-forme de support (8) par rapport à la plate-forme de support externe (1000) en fonction du signal et de la configuration des moyens de support (5).

Drawing