US Patent 11883334 Deployment patient transport apparatus with controlled auxiliary wheel deployment

A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a floor surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a support structure and support wheels coupled to the support structure. An auxiliary wheel is coupled to the support frame to influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over a floor surface. The auxiliary wheel is movable to a deployed position with the auxiliary wheel engaging the floor surface and a stowed position with the auxiliary wheel spaced a distance from the floor surface. An actuator assembly coupled to the support frame and to the auxiliary wheel. The actuator assembly includes a lift actuator and a spring cartridge assembly. The lift actuator is operable to move the auxiliary wheel to the deployed position and to the stowed position. The spring cartridge assembly is configured to bias the auxiliary wheel towards the deployed position.