Patient safety during transportation in ambulances, helicopters, or other emergency vehicles is always of the upmost concern. For instance, ambulances can travel at high speeds through intersections which in turn can increase the risk of accidents. While the stretcher may be secured to the floor of the ambulance, the patient may not be secured. When lying on a stretcher, a patient is not in a position to brace themselves during an impact or even be aware of an oncoming accident. Restraint systems, such as harness systems, have been developed to secure adult patients to the stretcher in order to protect the patient during an accident or for other reasons. However, these adult restraint systems are not properly sized and configured for children. Given child emergencies are less common as compared to adults, having a separate child-sized stretcher with a child-sized restraint system is not practical for any number of reasons.
Thus, there is a need for improvement in this field.
Most ambulance stretchers used in emergency vehicles are designed with adults in mind. Some child restraint systems for stretchers have been proposed in which a separate car seat or other child restraint is attached to the stretcher such as through straps. However, it was discovered that these separate child restraints are generally not used in practice. In most medical emergencies, every second counts. The time it takes to locate and install one of these child restraint systems takes precious time away from treating patients. Emergency vehicles, like ambulances or medivac helicopters, typically have tight cabin spaces such that there is little extra room for these separate child restraint systems. Since these systems are only required occasionally, the child restraint system may be stowed at inconvenient locations within the vehicle or even outside of the vehicle. As a result, the child restraint system may not be available when the child is first loaded onto the stretcher.
To address these as well as other issues, a unique child restraint system has been developed for integration into a stretcher. In one example, the child restraint system is integrated into a patient platform of the stretcher. The child restraint system has a low profile such that the system is able to be readily stowed within the stretcher, and the system is configured for easy deployment when needed. Moreover, the child restraint system is designed to not interfere with the use of the adult restraint systems of the stretcher. By being integrated into the stretcher, the child restraint system is always available, especially at the location where the child is first loaded onto the stretcher. The child restraint system is also designed to add very little extra weight to the stretcher. Children typically have lower musculature strength which can be detrimental during an impact. The system is further designed to position the child in a more upright rear-facing position that more widely distributes and dissipates the force of the impact.
In one variation, the child restraint system is flipped and stowed directly underneath a headrest and/or backrest of the stretcher. To deploy, the child restraint system is flipped out and rotated from the backrest. In another variation, the child restraint system is flipped over from the bottom to the top of a torso section of the stretcher. The child restraint system in other variations includes an indexing bar that adapts the adult restraints for a child. In still yet other variations, the child restraint system is stowed under a mattress pad of the stretcher. The pad is flipped or rolled to expose the child restraint system. The child restraint system in further variations is integrated into the pad of the stretcher.
Aspect 1 generally concerns a system that includes a stretcher having an integrated child restraint system.
Aspect 2 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the stretcher has a patient platform with the child restraint system integrated in the patient platform.
Aspect 3 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the patient platform has a backrest where the child restraint system is integrated.
Aspect 4 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the child restraint system includes a child seat assembly.
Aspect 5 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the child seat assembly is rigid to support a patient on the patient platform.
Aspect 6 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the child seat assembly has a hinge coupling the child seat assembly to a frame of the patient platform.
Aspect 7 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the hinge is configured to allow a flipping motion of the child seat assembly during deployment and stowing.
Aspect 8 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the hinge includes a ball joint.
Aspect 9 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the child seat assembly includes a child restraint backrest and a child restraint seat pivotally connected to the child restraint backrest.
Aspect 10 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the patient platform has a frame with a crossbar configured to support the child seat assembly in a child restraint cavity of the frame.
Aspect 11 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the child seat assembly has a crossbar coupler configured to couple the child seat assembly to the crossbar.
Aspect 12 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the crossbar coupler includes one or more crossbar pins extending from an end of the child restraint backrest.
Aspect 13 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the child restraint seat includes a seat latch mechanism configured to retain the child restraint seat in an open position.
Aspect 14 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the seat latch mechanism includes one or more clip loops.
Aspect 15 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the child seat assembly includes a child harness that includes one or more belts and a buckle.
Aspect 16 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the child restraint seat includes a belt guide system in which the belts are received.
Aspect 17 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the belt guide system includes a belt shield that defines one or more guide cavities in which the belts are received.
Aspect 18 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the child restraint backrest defines one or more belt grooves in which a portion of the belts are received.
Aspect 19 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the child restraint seat defines a buckle cavity configured to receive the buckle.
Aspect 20 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the stretcher includes an adult harness that is separate from the child harness.
Aspect 21 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the stretcher includes a pad configured to cover the child restraint system when the child restraint system is stowed.
Aspect 22 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the stretcher is a gurney.
Aspect 23 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the gurney includes a patient platform, a transport system, and a lift system coupled between the patient platform and the transport system.
Aspect 24 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the transport system has a retainer configured to secure the gurney in a vehicle during transport.
Aspect 25 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the child restraint system includes a child restraint pad.
Aspect 26 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the child restraint pad is configured to flip during deployment.
Aspect 27 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the entire child restraint pad is configured to flip during the deployment.
Aspect 28 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the child restraint system is configured to modify an adult harness for use by a child.
Aspect 29 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the child restraint system includes an indexing bar to modify belt height of the adult harness.
Aspect 30 generally concerns a method of operating the system of any previous aspect.
Further forms, objects, features, aspects, benefits, advantages, and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from a detailed description and drawings provided herewith.
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. One embodiment of the invention is shown in great detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not relevant to the present invention may not be shown for the sake of clarity.
The reference numerals in the following description have been organized to aid the reader in quickly identifying the drawings where various components are first shown. In particular, the drawing in which an element first appears is typically indicated by the left-most digit(s) in the corresponding reference number. For example, an element identified by a “100” series reference numeral will likely first appear in
In the illustrated example, the stretcher 100 is a gurney 102 that is able to easily move a patient on the gurney 102 in a generally horizontal direction, but the stretcher 100 in other examples can include other types of stretchers, like litters, that require the stretcher 100 to be lifted and carried in order to be moved horizontally. The gurney 102 includes a patient platform 105 that carries the patient, a lift system 110 that is configured to move the patient platform 105 in a general vertical direction, and a transport system 115 that is configured to move the gurney 102 in a general horizontal direction. As shown, the lift system 110 connects the patient platform 105 to the transport system 115. The lift system 110 in one form is able to adjust the distance between the patient platform 105 and lift system 110 so that the overall height of the stretcher 100 can be changed depending on the situation. For example, the lift system 110 can lower the patient platform 105 so that the gurney 102 is able to fit inside a cabin in the back of an ambulance, and the lift system 110 can raise the patient platform 105 when the gurney 102 is moved outside of the ambulance.
The patient platform 105 includes a frame 120, patient support assembly 125, and pad 130. The frame 120 is secured to the lift system 110, and the frame 120 supports the patient support assembly 125. The patient support assembly 125 is configured to support the patient at various positions (e.g., head raised position, feet raised position, etc.). The patient support assembly 125 is typically made of a rigid or stiff material, such as metal or plastic, so as to provide sufficient support of the patient. The pad 130 is designed to provide cushioned support of the patient on the patient support assembly 125. In one example, the pad 130 is in the form of a foam mattress pad, but other types of pads or covers can cover the patient support assembly 125. As will be discussed in greater detail below, all or part of the side rails 135 in certain examples can be removed, repositioned, furled up, and/or rolled up to expose all or part of the child restraint system 101.
In the depicted example, the patient platform 105 includes one or more side rails 135 that reduce the risk of the patient from sliding or rolling off the side of the gurney 102. The side rails 135 are secured to the frame 120. The side rails 135 can be stationary or collapsible type side rails. When for example the side rails 135 are collapsible types, the side rails 135 are able to be lowered when the patient is loaded onto the patient platform 105 and afterwards raised, if needed.
The stretcher 100 further includes an adult restraint assembly 140 that is configured to secure adult patients to the patient platform 105. The adult restraint assembly 140 can be used to secure the patient for any number of reasons. The adult restraint assembly 140 for example can be used to secure an adult or an adult sized person to the stretcher 100 due to safety concerns such as to due to a particular medical condition and/or to protect the patient during an accident when being transported by the emergency vehicle. In one version, the adult restraint assembly 140 includes a harness with one or more straps secured to the frame 120. The harness further can include buckles and strap adjusters for properly securing the adult.
As depicted in
As shown, all or part of the child restraint system 101 can be integrated into the patient platform 105. For instance, the child restraint system 101 can be partially or fully incorporated into the frame 120, patient support assembly 125, pad 130, and/or adult restraint assembly 140. In selected examples, the child restraint system 101 within the patient support assembly 125 can be incorporated into the headrest 145, backrest 150, seat 155, and/or leg rest 160. For instance, the child restraint system 101 in one version is incorporated into the backrest 150 of the patient support assembly 125. The backrest 150 in this version is able to be flipped and unfolded in order to deploy the child restraint system 101 for use. In another version, a portion of the pad 130 is flipped over from the back of the patient support assembly 125 so as to present the child restraint system 101. The child restraint system 101 in still yet other variations modifies the adult restraint assembly 140 so that the adult restraint assembly 140 is now sized for children or youths.
The lift system 110 of the stretcher 100 is capable of supporting the weight of the patient platform 105 as well as the weight of various sized patients, ranging from small children to large adults. Once more, the lift system 110 is operable to control the height of the patient platform 105 relative to the ground.
The lift system 110 can be in a raised position to assist medical personnel in moving a patient from one location to another, or can be in a lowered position to assist medical personnel in loading and unloading the stretcher 100 from an ambulance or other emergency vehicle. The lift system 110 can be powered, unpowered, or can be an x-frame model. However, it should be recognized that other various types of lift systems 110 could be implemented to perform the same function. In other variations, the child restraint system 101 is a soft-good that is stored in a sack attached or integrated in the headrest 145.
Again, the stretcher 100 in the example illustrated in
One example of the stretcher 100, and more specifically the gurney 102, will now be described with reference to a stretcher 200 shown in
Like before, the stretcher 200 in
As noted before, the stretcher 200 has a child restraint system 242 formed integrally with the backrest 205 and seat 210 of the patient platform 235. When deployed, the child restraint system 242 is configured to secure a child to the stretcher 200 in a fashion similar to a vehicle car seat. When not in use, the child restraint system 242 can be stowed inside the patient platform 235. Generally speaking, the child restraint system 242 is configured to be rotated and unfolded during deployment so that a child can be properly secured, and during stowing, the child restraint system 242 is able to be folded and rotated out of the way so that an adult is able to use the adult restraint assembly 140 of the stretcher 200. As shown, the child seat assembly 245 includes a child seat assembly 245 rotatably coupled to the frame 230 and a crossbar 250 that spans across the frame 230 to support the child seat assembly 245. The child seat assembly 245 is configured to unfold so as to form a seat for the child in the child restraint system 242. To facilitate medical treatment, the stretcher 200 includes an extendable intravenous pole 255 for support intravenous (IV) bags or other medical equipment. The stretcher 200 further includes one or more side rails 260 and handle loops 265 along with a pad 270 of the type described before. As shown, the pad 270 can be rolled or otherwise moved out of the way to expose the child restraint system 242.
Turning to
The child seat assembly 245 has a crossbar coupler 313 that couples the child seat assembly 245 with the frame 230. The crossbar coupler 313 is designed to hold the pad surface 307 of the child seat assembly 245 is a position that is generally flush with the rest of the patient platform 235 when the child restraint system 242 is stowed for adult use. The crossbar coupler 313 in the depicted example includes one or more crossbar pins 315 extending from the pad surface 307 that are received in corresponding pin notches 320 in the crossbar 250. The pin notches 320 have pin clips 322 for securing the crossbar pins 315 when the child seat assembly 245 is folded down against the crossbar 250. In the illustrated example, the child restraint backrest 302 of the child seat assembly 245 has two crossbar pins 315, but the child seat assembly 245 in other examples the pad surface 307 can have more or less. Moreover, it is envisioned that the other types of crossbar coupler 313 can be used to secure the child seat assembly 245 to the crossbar 250 in other ways.
The child seat assembly 245 is selectively attachable and selectively detachable from the crossbar 250 by unlatching crossbar coupler 313 from the pin clips 322. Once detached from the crossbar 250, the child seat assembly 245 can be moved in a direction indicated by double arrow 325 if
Once more, the child restraint seat 305 of the child restraint system 242 has the clip loops 310 that secure the child restraint seat 305 to the seat 210 when the child restraint system 242 is deployed for securing a child to the stretcher 200. As shown in
The child seat assembly 245 of the child restraint system 242 includes a child harness 410 configured to secured and/or restrain the child. The child harness 410 includes one or more child belts 415 and buckles 420 for securing the child in the child harness 410. In one example, the child harness 410 is a three-point harness, and in other examples, the child harness 410 is a five-point harness. It should be recognized that the child belts 415 and buckles 420 of the child harness 410 can be configured differently to form other harness configurations. In one form, the child belts 415 are formed from webbing, and the child belts 415 can include shoulder and lap type straps or belts. The buckle 420 is configured to secure the child harness 410 in a releasable manner. The child harness 410 can be adjustable to accommodate children of various sizes.
To facilitate compact storage when the child restraint backrest 302 and child restraint seat 305 are folded together, the child back surface 407 of the child restraint backrest 302 has one or more belt grooves 425 configured to receive the child belts 415 so that the child belts 415 are flush with or located below the child back surface 407 when retracted. The child back surface 407 of the child restraint backrest 302 further defines belt openings 430 at one end of each of the belt grooves 425. The belt openings 430 extend through the child restraint backrest 302 and allow the child belts 415 to pass through to the opposite side of the child restraint backrest 302 for securing purposes. To further facilitate compact storage when the child restraint backrest 302 and child restraint seat 305 are folded together, the child seat surface 408 of the child restraint seat 305 defines a buckle cavity 435 configured to receive the buckles 420 so that the buckle 420 is able to be stored at or below the child seat surface 408.
As noted before, the hinge 330 is configured to allow the child seat assembly 245 to be folded out of the child restraint cavity 212 in the frame 230 and flipped during deployment and stowing of the child restraint system 242.
After being flipped in the manner as depicted in
When the stretcher 200 needs to be used by an adult, the child restraint system 242 can be stowed in the manner as depicted in
The stretcher 200 can be used to safely, securely, and conveniently transport both children and adults. With the child restraint system 242 being integrated with the stretcher 200, the child restraint system 242 is readily available to use in most circumstances. Moreover, the child restraint system 242 is compactly stored in the stretcher 200 such that there is no or very little interference with the operation of the rest of the stretcher 200. Having the child restraint system 242 forming a structural component of the stretcher 200, very little additional weight is added to the stretcher 200. In the illustrated example, the child seat assembly 245 structurally forms the backrest 205 such that very little extra weight is added to the stretcher 200.
One technique of many for deploying and stowing the child restraint system 242 will now be described with reference to the previously discussed drawings. Again,
Once the child seat assembly 245 is at the orientation depicted in
The child restraint system 242 ensures that the child can be safely transported on the stretcher 200. Via the transport system 115 (
Once the child arrives at the designated medical facility, the stretcher 200 along with the child can be unloaded from the vehicle, and the stretcher 200 can be moved into the facility. The child harness 410 can be loosed and the buckle 420 unsecured so that the child can be removed from the stretcher 200 for further treatment at the facility. The stretcher 200 can then be quickly reconfigured for adult use by generally using the reverse process to stow the child restraint system 242 in the stretcher 200.
Other examples of child restraint systems that are integrated into stretchers have been developed. Some of these various examples or embodiments will be described below. These stretcher designs include a number of functions and components similar to the embodiments described with reference to
This embodiment allows the user to quickly covert the stretcher 900 to the child restraint system 101. The child restraint pad 905 is flipped over and fastened by attaching the snap hook 920 to the frame 925. A child can then be placed on the pad 910, with the back of the child placed against the child restraint pad 905 and the buckle 950 situated between the legs of the child. The first strap 940 and the second strap 945 then can be coupled to the buckle 950 to secure the child to the stretcher 900. Notably, the webbing of the first strap 940 and the second strap 945 can be adjusted by weaving the first strap 940 and the second strap 945 through different indexing slots 955. This allows the user to adjust the harness to properly secure the child, depending on the size of the child. Once the child is secure, the child and the stretcher 900 are ready for transport.
To use the child restraint cover 1605, a user unrolls the child restraint cover 1605 to cover the torso portion of the pad 910. The child restraint cover 1605 is then securely fastened to the pad 910 via the snap hook 1615. A child is placed on the pad 910 with the buckle 1630 positioned between the child legs of the child and the back of the child positioned against the child restraint cover 1605. The child is then secured to the pad 910 by coupling the first strap 1620 and the second strap 1625 to the buckle 1630. The first strap 1620 and second strap 1625 can be adjusted to different heights via the indexing slots 1635, depending on the height of the child. The child is now secure and ready for transport.
To use this embodiment, a user pulls the child restraint system 1805 from the frame-channel 1810 behind the torso portion of the pad 910. The child restraint system 1805 is then flipped over the torso portion of the pad 910 as indicated by an arrow 1835. The child restraint system 1805 is then unfolded by unlatching the fastening strap 1815. A child can then be placed on the child restraint system 1805 with the buckle 1830 positioned in between the legs of the child and the back of the child positioned on the torso portion of the child restraint system 1805. The child is then secured to the stretcher 1800 by coupling the first strap 1820 and the second strap 1825 to the buckle 1830. The first strap 1820 and the second strap 1825 are adjustable to properly secure the child during transport.
The language used in the claims and specification is to only have its plain and ordinary meaning, except as explicitly defined below. The words in these definitions are to only have their plain and ordinary meaning. Such plain and ordinary meaning is inclusive of all consistent dictionary definitions from the most recently published Webster's dictionaries and Random House dictionaries. As used in the specification and claims, the following definitions apply to these terms and common variations thereof identified below.
“Asymmetric” generally refers to an object not being identical on both sides of a central line.
“Ball Joint” or “Ball-and-Socket Joint” generally refers to a mechanical device that allows free rotation in two or more planes at the same time while substantially preventing translation motion in any direction. The ball joint for example includes a spherical knob or knoblike part that fits into a cavity or socket of another part. In one version, the ball joint includes a bearing stud and socket attached in a casing.
“Couple” or “Coupled” generally refers to an indirect and/or direct connection between the identified elements, components, and/or objects. Often the manner of the coupling will be related specifically to the manner in which the two coupled elements interact.
“Fastener” generally refers to a hardware device that mechanically joins or otherwise affixes two or more objects together. By way of nonlimiting examples, the fastener can include bolts, dowels, nails, nuts, pegs, pins, rivets, screws, and snap fasteners, to just name a few.
“Flat” generally refers to a smooth and even surface without marked lumps and/or indentations.
“Frame” generally refers to a structure that forms part of an object and gives strength and/or shape to the object.
“Gurney” or “Trolley” generally refers to a rolling or wheeled type stretcher. Gurneys typically include a transport system that allows the gurney to be easily rolled across a surface such as on a floor or the street. Typically, but not always, the transport system in the gurney includes casters and/or wheels that roll across the surface. The transport system in other variations can include other devices for moving the gurney horizontally across a surface such as ball rollers, track types systems, pneumatic levitation type systems, or even magnetic levitation type systems. The gurney further commonly includes a patient platform on which a person is placed. In some cases, a lift system is disposed between the patient platform and the transport system for raising, lowering, and generally supporting the patient platform. For example, gurneys are usually (but not always) equipped with variable height frames, lifting mechanisms, wheels, tracks, and/or skids. Gurneys are commonly used in acute out-of-hospital care situations by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in ambulances as well as by the military, and search and rescue personnel.
“Hinge” generally refers to a mechanical bearing or other device that connects at least two solid objects so as to allow only an angle of rotation between the objects. In one example, the objects connected by the hinge can rotate relative to each other about a fixed axis of rotation such that all other relative translations and/or rotations being are prevented to provide one degree of freedom. In other examples, the hinge can provide multiple degrees of freedom. For instance, a living hinge, which is made of flexible material like plastic, can provide multiple axes of rotational freedom. In one form, the hinge includes a leaf with a knuckle that receives a pin. Some examples of hinge types include spring hinges, barrel hinges, pivot hinges, butt-mortise hinges, case hinges, piano hinges, concealed hinges, butterfly hinges, flag hinges, strap hinges, H-hinges, counter-flap hinges, self-closing hinges, friction hinges, double action hinges, and crank hinges, to name just a few
“Lateral” generally refers to being situated on, directed toward, or coming from the side.
“Lift Mechanism”, “Lifting Mechanism”, or “Lift System” generally refers to any mechanical device designed to raise and/or lower objects in a generally vertical direction. By way of non-limiting examples, the lift mechanism can include rotating joints, elevators, screw drives, and/or linkage type devices. The lift mechanism can be designed to discretely lift objects, such as in a case of an elevator, or lift objects in a continuous manner, such as chain and bucket type elevators and/or screw type conveyors. The lift mechanism can be manually and/or automatically powered. For instance, the lift mechanism can be powered by electricity, pneumatics, and/or hydraulics.
“Longitudinal” generally relates to length or lengthwise dimension of an object, rather than across.
“Motor” generally refers to a machine that supplies motive power for a device with moving parts. The motor can include rotor and linear type motors. The motor can be powered in any number of ways, such as via electricity, internal combustion, pneumatics, and/or hydraulic power sources. By way of non-limiting examples, the motor can include a servomotor, a pneumatic motor, a hydraulic motor, a steam engine, a pneumatic piston, a hydraulic piston, and/or an internal combustion engine.
“Seat Belt”, “Safety Belt”, “Vehicle Belt”, or “Belt” generally refers to an arrangement of webs and other materials designed to restrain or otherwise hold a person or other object steady such as in a boat, vehicle, aircraft, and/or spacecraft. For example, the seat belt is designed to secure an occupant of a vehicle against harmful movement that may result during a collision or a sudden stop. By way of non-limiting examples, the seat belt can include webbing, buckles, latch plates, and/or length-adjustment mechanisms, such as a retractor, installed in the vehicle that is used to restrain an occupant or a child restraint system. The seat belt for instance can include a lap belt only, a combination lap-shoulder belt, a separate lap belt, a separate shoulder belt, and/or a knee bolster.
“Snap-Fit Connector” or “Snap-Fit Connection” generally refers to a type of attachment device including at least two parts, with at least one of which being flexible, that are interlocked with one another by pushing the parts together. The term “Snap-Fit Connector” may refer to just one of the parts, such as either the protruding or mating part, or both of the parts when joined together. Typically, but not always, the snap-fit connector includes a protrusion of one part, such as a hook, stud and/or bead, that is deflected briefly during the joining operation and catches in a depression and/or undercut in the mating part. After the parts are joined, the flexible snap-fit parts return to a stress-free condition. The resulting joint may be separable or inseparable depending on the shape of the undercut. The force required to separate the components can vary depending on the design. By way of non-limiting examples, the flexible parts are made of a flexible material such as plastic, metal, and/or carbon fiber composite materials. The snap-fit connectors can include cantilever, torsional and/or annular type snap-fit connectors. In the annular snap-fit type connector, the connector utilizes a hoop-strain type part to hold the other part in place. In one form, the hoop-strain part is made of an elastic material and has an expandable circumference. In one example, the elastic hoop-strain part is pushed onto a more rigid part so as to secure the two together. Cantilever snap-fit type connectors can form permanent type connections or can be temporary such that the parts can be connected and disconnected multiple times. A multiple use type snap-fit connector typically, but not always, has a lever or pin that is pushed in order to release the snap-fit connection. For a torsional snap fit connector, protruding edges of one part are pushed away from the target insertion area, and the other part then slides in between the protruding edges until a desired distance is reached. Once the desired distance is reached, the edges are then released such that the part is held in place.
“Stretcher” generally refers to an apparatus used for moving patients or others who require medical care. Some non-limiting types include carried and rolling types of stretchers. Stretchers that are typically carried by one or more individuals are commonly called a “cot” or “litter”. For instance, these carried type stretchers include a framework of two or more poles with a long piece of canvas or other material slung between the poles that is used for carrying those who are sick, injured, or dead. Rolling or wheeled type stretchers, which are easily rolled or otherwise moved horizontally across a surface, are commonly called “gurneys” or “trolleys”. Typically, but not always, the stretcher is intended to support the entire body of a traumatized, ambulatory, or non-ambulatory human patient, including infants, children, youths, and adults. The stretcher is normally (but not always) designed to support patients in a supine (e.g., horizontal), sitting (e.g., vertical), or in between position. If needed, the stretcher can also transport medical equipment along with the patient in a medical or transport vehicle. The stretcher is not intended for extended stay use such as for example used as a hospital bed.
“Substantially” generally refers to the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in an essential change of the basic function of the subject matter at issue. The term “substantially” is utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, and/or other representation.
“Tilt-Lock Adjuster” generally refers to a webbing or strap adjustment mechanism that releases the mechanism's hold on the webbing for the purpose of releasing tension and/or lengthening the webbing when the mechanism is lifted and/or held at an angle that is generally transverse to the general longitudinal direction of the webbing. Typically, but not always, the tilt-lock adjuster does not inhibit the overall length of the webbing from being shortened when the free end of the webbing is pulled.
“Vehicle” generally refers to a machine that transports people and/or cargo. Common vehicle types can include land based vehicles, amphibious vehicles, watercraft, aircraft, and space craft. By way of non-limiting examples, land based vehicles can include wagons, carts, scooters, bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles, buses, trucks, semi-trailers, trains, trolleys, and trams. Amphibious vehicles can for example include hovercraft and duck boats, and watercraft can include ships, boats, and submarines, to name just a few examples. Common forms of aircraft include airplanes, helicopters, autogiros, and balloons, and spacecraft for instance can include rockets and rocket-powered aircraft. The vehicle can have numerous types of power sources. For instance, the vehicle can be powered via human propulsion, electrically powered, powered via chemical combustion, nuclear powered, and/or solar powered. The direction, velocity, and operation of the vehicle can be human controlled, autonomously controlled, and/or semi-autonomously controlled. Examples of autonomously or semi-autonomously controlled vehicles include Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and drones.
“Web” or “Webbing” generally refers to a strap made of a network of thread, strings, cords, wires, and/or other materials designed to restrain or otherwise hold a person or other object steady such as in a boat, vehicle, aircraft, and/or spacecraft. By way of non-limiting examples, the web can be incorporated into a seat belt, a child booster seat, and/or a car seat.
The term “or” is inclusive, meaning “and/or”.
It should be noted that the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the,” and the like as used in the description and/or the claims include the plural forms unless expressly discussed otherwise. For example, if the specification and/or claims refer to “a device” or “the device”, it includes one or more of such devices.
It should be noted that directional terms, such as “up,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” “lateral,” “longitudinal,” “radial,” “circumferential,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” etc., are used herein solely for the convenience of the reader in order to aid in the reader's understanding of the illustrated embodiments, and it is not the intent that the use of these directional terms in any manner limit the described, illustrated, and/or claimed features to a specific direction and/or orientation, unless expressly discussed otherwise.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes, equivalents, and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions defined by the following claims are desired to be protected. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and set forth in its entirety herein.
This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/533,947, filed Aug. 7, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/533,947, filed Aug. 7, 2019, claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/746,787, filed Oct. 17, 2018, which are hereby incorporated by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/533,947, filed Aug. 7, 2019, claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/715,468, filed Aug. 7, 2018, which are hereby incorporated by reference.
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Entry |
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isEsBn2JnuM, “Suwanne County Fire Rescue Training Division”, “Car Seat on a Stretcher” May 2016 (Year: 2016). |
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Stryker, Stryker Power-PRO XT Powered ambulance stretcher Retrieved from the Internet: https://www.stryker.com/us-en/emergency-care/products/power-pro-xt.html, 4 pages, Aug. 7, 2019. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20220160557 A1 | May 2022 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62746787 | Oct 2018 | US | |
62715468 | Aug 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16533947 | Aug 2019 | US |
Child | 17650186 | US |