Patent Application
20230371957
The present invention relates to a tourniquet assembly, and more particularly to tourniquet assembly integrating a tourniquet that is wrapped around a leg and a holster connected to the tourniquet.
Tourniquets are used for applying pressure to a limb or extremity in order to stop the flow of blood. There are several different constriction devices on the market, however the tourniquet is generally the same. It is commonly a nylon material and often cut or discarded after use.
One such example is disclosed in a U.S. Pat. No. 10,568,636, entitled “Compression Device” (“the '636 Patent”). The '636 Patent discloses a compression device useful for applying circumferential compression to an object, and includes a simplified cinch mechanism. The device includes a guidance slide, a jamming feature/pull tab, a buckle assembly and a cinch strap, which form a loop for placing about an object. The cinch strap includes both an inner portion, anchored to the jamming feature, and an outer portion, anchored to the guidance slide. The inner portion of the cinch strap passes through the guidance slide to an adjustable, locking side of the buckle assembly, and the outer portion of the cinch strap passes from the adjustable, locking side of the buckle assembly to the guidance slide. The cinch strap can move freely when pulled on by the inner portion and lock when pulled on by the outer portion, such that an inner circumference of the device is adjustable but can maintain a minimum circumferential length after tension is applied.
Another example is disclosed in a U.S. Pat. No. 10,278,708, entitled “Compression Device” (“the '708 Patent”). The '708 Patent discloses a compression device, useful for applying circumferential compression to an object, for example, as a tourniquet to occlude blood flow in a hemorrhaging extremity, is provided. The device includes a buckle assembly, first and second guidance slides, a connecting member between the first and second guidance slides, and a strap. Each end of the strap is anchored to a guidance slide. From each of the anchored ends, the strap passes through the buckle assembly, forming outer segments. The strap then returns along respective insides of the outer segments and through the guidance slides, forming inner segments. The buckle assembly, inner segments and connecting member form a loop for placing about an object, an inner circumference of the loop being adjustable by pulling on a portion of the strap located along the outside of the connecting member and between the two guidance slides to tighten the loop around the object.
Another example is disclosed in a U.S. Pat. No. 10,321,917, entitled “Tourniquet Belt” (“the '917 Patent”). The '917 Patent discloses a tourniquet that may be used as a daily wear belt. A tourniquet belt may include an elongate belt having a first end and a second free end; a securing element coupled to the elongate belt at the first end of the elongate belt; and a separate tightening element coupled to the elongate belt, wherein the tightening element is selectively actuable to tighten or loosen the tourniquet belt.
Yet another example is disclosed in a United States Publication No. 2010/0049241, entitled “Ratchet Hook Tourniquet” (“the '241 Publication”). The '241 Publication discloses a tourniquet device comprising a belt with a separable first end and second end, preferably coupled by hook-and-pin means, said hook being designed so as to be easily discernable from fabric by touch and easily manipulated manually. Constrictive tension is applied preferably by a ratchet action mechanism amongst other means.
The above patents and publications employ types of embodiments for constriction devices but are not intended, nor suitable to be used as an equipment strap, such as with use as a holster. The current tourniquets on the market are independent and require the user to remove the tourniquet from a holster or pocket, route the tourniquet around a limb, and the begin to tighten the tourniquet via a constriction device.
Therefore, there remains a continuing need for improved tourniquets that can be used with equipment such as holsters.
The present invention provides a tourniquet for applying pressure to a limb to stop the flow of blood.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a tourniquet including a plate, a first band and a second band. The first band draws through the plate. The first band includes a tensioning member such as a ratchet lever. The second band positions within the first band such that one end of the second band connects to the first band and the other end of the second band connects to the tensioning member. The first band receives the limb of the user while the plate remains on the limb. The tensioning member operates to draw the second band towards the tensioning member allowing the first band to put pressure on the limb and stop the flow of blood.
In another aspect, the invention provides a tourniquet having a plate. The plate includes channels positioned at opposite sides. The tourniquet includes a first band that draws through the channels. The tourniquet includes a tensioning member positioned at the outer surface of the first band. The tourniquet includes a second band positioned within the first band, whereby one end of the second band connects to the first band and the other end of the second band connects to the tensioning member. The first band receives a limb of a user while the plate remains on the limb. The tensioning member operates to draw the second band towards the tensioning member allowing the first band to apply pressure on the limb and stop the flow of blood.
In yet another aspect, the invention provides a tourniquet having a first band that suspends from a waist strap. The tourniquet includes a tensioning member positioned at the outer surface of the first band. The tourniquet includes a second band positioned within the first band, whereby one end of the second band connects to the first band and the other end of the second band connects to the tensioning member. The first band receives a limb of a user and the waist strap wraps around a waist of the user. The tensioning member operates to draw the second band towards the tensioning member allowing the first band to apply pressure on the limb and stop the flow of blood. In one example, the plate connects to a holster for holding a firearm.
The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may however be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, and/or section from another element, component, region, layer, and/or section.
It will be understood that the elements, components, regions, layers and sections depicted in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Furthermore, relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom,” “upper” or “top,” “left” or “right,” “above” or “below,” “front” or “rear,” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to idealized embodiments of the present invention. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. The numbers, ratios, percentages, and the other values may include those that are +5%, +10%, +25%, +50%, ±75%, ±100%, +200%, +500%, or other ranges that do not detract from the spirit of the invention. The terms about, approximately, or substantially may include values known to those having ordinary skill in the art. If not known in the art, these terms may be considered to be in the range of up to +5%, +10%, or other value higher than these ranges commonly accepted by those having ordinary skill in the art for the variable disclosed. Thus, embodiments of the present invention should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any elements that are not specifically disclosed herein. All patents, patent applications and non-patent literature cited through this application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
Turning to the Figures,
As can be seen from at least
Further, plate 30 includes channels 44. Channels 44 indicate holes or cut-sections or first strap receiving sections positioned at both sides of plate 30. As can be seen from at least
Tourniquet 26 includes a first band or first strap 45. First band 45 indicates an external band or external strap made of woven nylon (e.g., webbing), leather, plastic, rubber, cotton, and/or another suitable material that can withstand tension forces sufficient to cut off blood flow in leg 16 of user 14.
First band 45 includes a male member 50 at one end and a female member 52 (together forming a buckle) at another end. Male member 50 connects to female member 52 and helps to fasten two ends of first band 45. Although the present embodiment shows use of male member 50 and female member 52 to fasten two ends of first band 45, it is possible to provide other mechanisms such as hook and loop, D-ring, etc., without departing from the scope of the present invention. Fastening of the distal ends of first band 45 forms an opening 46 (with inner side of first band 45). Opening 46 indicates a leg receiving area configured to receive leg 16 of user 14, as shown in
Further, tourniquet 26 includes a second band or second strap 60. Second band 60 indicates an internal band or internal strap used for tightening first band 45 around leg 16 of user 14. In one example, second band 60 is made of medium or semi-stiff material having high tensile strength. In one example, second band 60 includes a second ratchet ladder strap 62. In one example, first ratchet ladder strap 54 acts an extension of second ratchet ladder strap 62. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, one end of second band 60 connects to ratchet lever 56 on first band 45 via connecting member 58, and the other end connects to first clip 47 via a holding clip 64. In one example, first band 45 and second band 60 are connected via an attachment strap 66, as shown in
In order to use tourniquet assembly 12, at first, user 14 puts legs 16 through tourniquets 26 as shown in
Although the above example is explained considering the tightening is achieved using ratchet lever 54, it is possible to use other tightening mechanisms such as windlass, pulley and the other ratchet designs without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The tourniquet assembly provides several advantages over prior art. The presently disclosed tourniquet assembly contains a strap made of a heavier material than most common tourniquets and has buckles on either end. Further, the strap is designed to be routed through a/plate and then buckled around the limb and worn as a piece of equipment. Furthermore, the strap is provided with a constriction/tightening mechanism, the mechanism can pull the strap together causing it to constrict around the limb/leg. This creates a tourniquet, allowing the user to stop blood flow to the leg without having to remove any gear or route straps around the limb/leg. The presently disclosed tourniquet assembly is designed to be worn daily and be used to replace common straps used in holsters and the other constriction devices.
While the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the words that have been used are words of description and not of limitation. As is understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art, a variety of modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the following claims, which should be given their fullest, fair scope.
This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/434,452, filed on Dec. 21, 2022, entitled “Holster and Tourniquet,” to Randy Watts, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62434452 | Dec 2016 | US |
