US Patent 6968584 Foot end latch mechanism

A patient support apparatus which includes an elongate frame on which is reciprocally mounted a patient support deck that includes a head section, a seat section and a foot section. The foot section includes first and second sections. A hinge assembly is provided for pivotally supporting the first section for movement to and between a generally horizontal position and a generally vertical position. An extendable and retractable track assembly is provided on the first section for supporting the second section for movement between an extended position wherein said foot section has a longest dimension and retracted position wherein the foot section has a shortest dimension. A latch mechanism is configured to latch the second section to the first section and includes a floor engaging latch release mechanism configured to effect an unlatching of the latch mechanism in response to an engagement thereof with a floor surface. The latch mechanism also includes a handle mechanism configured to facilitate a manual release of the latch mechanism.