Modular stretcher or litter

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11213439-B2
Application number	US-201515513269-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 1, 2015
Priority date	Oct 1, 2014
Publication date	Jan 4, 2022
Grant date	Jan 4, 2022

Abstract

A stretcher which comprises a bed, and a frame having first and second parallel frame members coupled to first and second lateral frame members is disclosed. A securement track is define by an upper surface of at least one of the first parallel frame member, the second parallel frame member, the first lateral frame member, and the second lateral frame member, the securement track having a plurality of alternating open regions and necked down regions along a length. A bed mount configured to both support the bed and be releasably secured in the securement track in a secure condition, and configured to be repositionable along the length of the securement track in an unsecured condition.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A stretcher comprising:
a bed;
a frame having first and second parallel frame members each with respective ends coupled via an interference fit to a first set of lateral frame members each having a first length to provide the frame with a first width, wherein the first set of lateral frame members are both decouplable from the respective ends of the first and second parallel frame members via an untightening of the interference fit and replaceable by a second set of lateral frame members each having a second length to provide the frame with a second width different from the first width;
a securement track defined by an upper surface of at least one of the first parallel frame member, the second parallel frame member, the first lateral frame member, and the second lateral frame member, the securement track having a plurality of alternating open regions and necked down regions along a length;
a bed mount configured to both support the bed and be releasably secured in the securement track in a secure condition, and configured to be repositionable along the length of the securement track in an unsecured condition; and
an angular support movably secured to the securement track through a plurality of track mounts such that the angular support may be placed along a plurality of positions along the length of the securement track.

2. The stretcher as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
the plurality of open regions are connected by the plurality of necked down regions; and
each bed mount comprises a mount stud having a stem portion and an enlarged head portion disposed at a distal end of respective stem portions,
the head portion is configured to removably couple with respective open regions of the securement track,
the stem portion is configured to slidably couple with the necked down portion of the securement track, and
the bed mounts are spaced around the frame and couple the securement track to the bed, and repositionable along the length in the unsecured condition via sliding within the securement track.

3. The stretcher as claimed in claim 1 wherein the angular support comprises a support frame, a support bed, a first track mount, a second track mount, a first end member, a second end member; a cross member, and a link member wherein:
the support frame comprises a first support member, a second support member, and a support lateral member;
the support lateral member couples the first support member and the second support member at a first end of the support frame;
the first track mount and the second track mount are pivotally coupled to the support frame;
the first track mount and the second track mount each comprise at least one mount stud;
the link member comprises a first link body, a second link body, a link lock, and a link lock release;
the first link body slidably couples with the second link body;
the link lock restrains the movement of the first link body in relation to the second link body;
the link lock release transitions the link lock between a locked position and an unlocked position;
the locked position restrains the movement of the first link body in relation to the second link body;
the unlocked position does not restrain the movement of the first link body in relation to the second link body;
the link member couples the angular support to the cross member; and
the cross member couples the first parallel frame member and the second parallel frame member.

4. The stretcher as claimed in claim 1 wherein:
each track mount comprises a locking pin and a locking pin release;
the locking pin release is coupled to the locking pin and is configured to transition the locking pin between an extended position and a retracted position;
the extended position extends the locking pin into an open region of the securement track and restrains the movement of the track mount in relation to the securement track; and
the retracted position retracts the locking pin out of an open region of the securement track and allows the movement of the track mount in relation to the securement track.

5. The stretcher as claimed in claim 1 comprising a securement plate comprising a base plate and a plurality of substantially parallel securement tracks wherein the base plate is coupled to the frame with the plurality of bed mounts.

6. The stretcher as claimed in claim 1 comprising a plurality of ribs and one or more legs wherein:
each rib comprises a rib lateral and two rib mounts;
each rib mount is coupled to either end of the rib lateral;
the rib couples between the first parallel frame member and the second parallel frame member;
select ones of the plurality of ribs comprise one or more wheels;
each leg comprises a leg member and a leg mount;
the leg member is coupled to the leg mount;
the leg mount comprises one or more mount studs;
the mount stud is coupled to the leg mount; and
each leg is coupled to the securement track.

7. The stretcher as claimed in claim 1 comprising an elevated rack wherein:
the elevated rack comprises a plurality of risers, a plurality of legs, and a platform;
each riser comprises one or more frame studs, a leg stud, and a keyhole slot;
each riser couples to the frame and elevates the leg stud and the keyhole slot above the upper surface of the frame;
each frame stud is a mount stud configured to couple with the securement track of the frame;
the leg stud is a mount stud that is diametrically opposed to the frame studs on the riser;
the plurality of legs are coupled to the platform and position the platform above the frame;
the plurality of legs are configured to either couple with the leg stud or the keyhole slot of one or more risers coupled to the frame; and
the platform comprises a plurality of substantially parallel securement tracks.

8. The stretcher as claimed in claim 7 wherein the elevated rack comprises a tank assembly and one or more IV bag hangers;
the tank assembly comprises a tank frame and one or more adjustable bands;
the adjustable bands are coupled to the tank frame and configured to secure a tank to the tank frame;
the tank frame is coupled to the elevated rack;
each IV bag hanger comprises an IV hook, a restraint strap, and a telescoping pole;
the telescoping pole slidably couples with one leg of the elevated rack;
the IV hook is coupled at a distal end of the telescoping pole; and
the restrain strap is coupled to the telescoping pole and configured to restrain an IV bag from swinging on the IV hook.

9. The stretcher as claimed in claim 7 wherein:
each riser comprises a locking pin and a locking pin release;
the locking pin release is coupled to the locking pin and is configured to transition the locking pin between an extended position and a retracted position;
the extended position extends the locking pin into an open region of the securement track and restrains the movement of the riser in relation to the securement track; and
the retracted position retracts the locking pin out of an open region of the securement track and allows the movement of the riser in relation to the securement track.

10. The stretcher as claimed in claim 1 comprising a tank rack wherein:
the tank rack comprises one or more adjustable bands, a tank base, a first mount end, and a second mount end;
the adjustable bands are coupled to the tank base and configured to secure a tank to the tank base;
the first mount end and the second mount end are coupled at opposing ends of the tank base;
the tank base spans between the first parallel frame member and the second parallel frame member such that the first mount end couples to the securement track on the first parallel frame member and the second mount

Assignees

• Ferno Washington

Inventors

• Chinn Robert

Classifications

• A61G1/0231

  having only fixed wheels · CPC title

• A61G1/00

  Stretchers · CPC title

• A47C19/02

  Parts or details of bedsteads not fully covered in a single one of the following subgroups, e.g. bed rails, post rails · CPC title

• A61G1/048

  Handles · CPC title

• A61G7/1025

  Lateral movement of patients, e.g. horizontal transfer · CPC title