US Patent 11304861 Patient transport apparatus with movable end handle system

Patient transport apparatus including a patient litter and a litter support apparatus for supporting the patient litter from a ground surface. The litter support apparatus includes a litter support frame including a pair of litter supports spaced a distance apart to define a loading gap for receiving the patient litter therethrough. A handle system is coupled to the pair of litter supports and includes a handle assembly that is positionable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The handle assembly extends across the loading gap defined between the pair of litter supports in the closed configuration and is positioned away from the loading gap in the open configuration.