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A stretcher receiving system is provided for installation in an interior compartment of a vehicle, as well as a method of converting a vehicle to a stretchered passenger carrying vehicle. An example of the system includes a plurality of adjustable mounting assemblies, capable of being attached to an

A stretcher receiving system is provided for installation in an interior compartment of a vehicle, as well as a method of converting a vehicle to a stretchered passenger carrying vehicle. An example of the system includes a plurality of adjustable mounting assemblies, capable of being attached to an interior surface of the vehicle compartment. The mounting assemblies support an adjustable frame assembly which may have at least two vertical posts. Interconnecting these vertical posts is at least one stretcher receiver adapted to hold an end of a stretcher.

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1. A stretcher receiving system for installation in an interior compartment of a vehicle, the system comprising: a plurality of adjustable mounting assemblies, capable of being attached to an interior surface of the vehicle compartment;an adjustable frame assembly, having at least two pairs of verti

1. A stretcher receiving system for installation in an interior compartment of a vehicle, the system comprising: a plurality of adjustable mounting assemblies, capable of being attached to an interior surface of the vehicle compartment;an adjustable frame assembly, having at least two pairs of vertical posts, supported by said mounting assemblies; andone or more stretcher receivers interconnecting said vertical posts of each pair and adapted to receive an end of a stretcher,wherein the adjustable frame assembly comprises a pair of securement tracks attached to the mounting assemblies in a position parallel with the floor of the vehicle compartment; anda connection bracket slidably attaching each vertical post to one of the securement tracks,wherein said vertical posts extend down from the connection brackets and the securement tracks, andwherein the securement tracks allow for adjusting spacing between the pairs of vertical posts. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein each mounting assembly is capable of attachment in plural locations along said interior surface, whereby at least one of said vertical posts can be vertically mounted thereto in each location. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the mounting assembly comprises a bracket and three connectors rotatably positionable with respect to said bracket. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the bracket is substantially triangular, and comprises two ear portions protruding from opposite ends of one edge of the triangle; wherein each ear portion comprising a through-hole to provide a pivot connection with a first and second of said three connectors. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first and second connectors are attached to the bow frame of the vehicle. 6. A stretcher receiving system for installation in an interior compartment of a vehicle, the system comprising: a plurality of adjustable mounting assemblies, capable of being attached to an interior surface of the vehicle compartment;an adjustable frame assembly, having at least two vertical posts, supported by said mounting assemblies; andone or more stretcher receivers interconnecting said vertical posts and adapted to receive an end of a stretcher,wherein each mounting assembly is capable of attachment in plural locations along said interior surface, whereby at least one of said vertical posts can be vertically mounted thereto in each location,wherein the mounting assembly comprises a bracket and three connectors rotatably positionable with respect to said bracket,wherein the bracket is substantially triangular, and comprises two ear portions protruding from opposite ends of one edge of the triangle;wherein each ear portion comprising a through-hole to provide a pivot connection with a first and second of said three connectors,wherein the first and second connectors are attached to the bow frame of the vehicle,wherein the bracket further comprises an additional through-hole positioned adjacent to the corner of said bracket opposite to said one edge; andan arc-shaped through-hole whose arc is centered around the additional through-hole;wherein the additional through-hole and the arc-shaped through-hole provide a pivot point and guide slot for a third of said three connectors. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the arc-shaped through-hole sweeps an angle of at least 60 degrees around said additional through-hole. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the vertical posts are adjustably attached to the respective connection brackets such that an end of each post can be positioned at or on the floor of the vehicle compartment, regardless of compartment height. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the vertical posts comprise a plurality of holes positioned along the length thereof; wherein the holes provide for selective attachment of the one or more stretcher receivers at a variety of heights and spacing widths, such that each set of vertical posts can support one or a plurality of the stretcher receivers. 10. A vehicle for transporting a plurality of patients on stretchers, comprising: a vehicle having at least one interior compartment; anda first stretcher receiving system according to claim 1. 11. The vehicle of claim 10, further comprising a second stretcher receiving system according to claim 1; the first and second systems are independently secured on opposite sides of the vehicle compartment using said mounting assemblies, whereby an aisle is formed between the systems. 12. The system of claim 1, wherein a distance between the vertical posts of each pair corresponds approximately to the width of the stretcher, and a distance between the two pairs of vertical posts corresponds approximately to the length of the stretcher. 13. A method for converting a vehicle into an ambulance or carrier for transporting a plurality of stretchered persons, comprising: a) providing a vehicle;b) removing pre-existing installations in the area designated for installation of at least one adjustable frame assembly;c) attaching at plurality of mounting assemblies along the ceiling of the compartment;d) attaching to the mounting assemblies a pair of securement tracks;e) slidably attaching at least two pairs of vertical posts below the securement tracks using respective connection brackets;f) sliding a first pair of the vertical posts along the securement tracks to a preferred distance from a second pair of vertical posts;g) attaching each vertical post to a floor of the vehicle; andh) installing a stretcher receiver between the vertical posts of each pair. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: i) inserting a stretcher into the stretcher receiver. 15. The method of claim 13 where the ceiling of the compartment has a curvature, and the mounting assembly is capable of attaching to multiple points along the curvature of the ceiling in such a manner that the vertical posts can be installed vertically. 16. The method of claim 13 where the stretcher receiver includes a translatable portion for guiding the stretcher in a lateral direction between extended and retracted positions that are horizontally co-planar. 17. The method of claim 13 where the stretcher receiver includes a catch tray positioned to contain any fluids from a stretchered person being supported by the stretcher receiver.