| abstract |
A stretcher (20) for transporting a patient along a floor (62) includes a frame (22), a plurality of casters (60) coupled to the frame (22), a wheel (110) supported relative to the frame (22) and engaging the floor (62), and a drive assembly (200) drivingly couplable to the wheel (110). The drive assembly (200) has a first mode of operation decoupled from the wheel (110) so that the wheel (110) is free to rotate in response to movement of the stretcher (20) along the floor (62), and a second mode of operation coupled to the wheel (110) to drive the wheel (110) and propel the stretcher (20) along the floor (62). |