Storage and carrier apparatus for patient transport litter

• US 8,118,201 B1
• Filed: 02/28/2007
• Issued: 02/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Skedco Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Skedco Incorporated
• Inventors: Calkin, Carston R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elkins, Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): Skurdal, Corey
• Application Number:
  US11/680,540
• Time in Patent Office: 1,819 Days
• Field of Search: 224/576, 224/655, 224/584, 224/901.8, 224/153, 224/585, 224/627, 224/645, 224/653, 224/659, 224/572, 224/156, 224/578, 224/579, 224/581, 224/582, 224/650, 190/108
• US Class Current: 224/156
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/1092 of the socket-and-pin type
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2013/1015 of hook and loop type
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/05 Holder or carrier for specific articles
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/047 with adjustable fastenings for the shoulder straps or waist belts
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/06 specially adapted for military purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/08 Carrying-frames; Frames combined with sacks
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/10 Pack-frames carried on the body

Abstract

An apparatus for carrying a patient transport litter includes a support mount for releasably mounting a separate litter carrier for carrying a patient transport litter. The support mount includes a mounting panel adapted to be mounted to a supporting structure and a pair of flexible side flaps that wrap around the litter carrier to secure the litter carrier to the support mount in a storage condition. Each side flap includes a fastener or buckle component for releasably joining together the respective side flaps snugly around the litter carrier, to thereby releasably secure the litter carrier to the support mount and the supporting structure. The litter carrier may include carrying straps for facilitating transport to a site of injury, where the litter carrier is opened and the patient transport litter removed from the litter carrier for use in transporting an injured person.

Claims

1. An apparatus for carrying a patient transport litter, comprising:

a litter carrier for carrying a patient transport litter to a site of use, the litter carrier supporting and confining the patient transport litter, the litter carrier manually openable to release the patient transport litter from the litter carrier for use, the litter carrier including (i) a back panel, (ii) a first shoulder strap sized and arranged to form a first vertically extending loop that receives a wearer'"'"'s left shoulder, and (iii) a second shoulder strap sized and arranged to form a second vertically extending loop that receives the wearer'"'"'s right shoulder, the first and second shoulder straps being spaced apart horizontally over the back panel for carrying of the litter carrier and patient transport litter on a wearer'"'"'s back; and

a support mount for releasably mounting the litter carrier when not in use, the support mount including a mounting panel adapted to be mounted to a supporting structure and a pair of flexible side flaps secured to and extending laterally from the mounting panel, the side flaps sized to wrap around the litter carrier when the litter carrier is positioned adjacent an inner face of the mounting panel of the support mount, each side flap having a buckle component for releasably joining together the respective side flaps snugly around the litter carrier; and

a support strap extending beneath the litter carrier and upwardly to a connector member at a distal end of the support strap, the connector member releasably couplable to both of the buckle components of the side flaps at a front side of the apparatus opposite the mounting panel, to thereby releasably secure the litter carrier to the support mount and the supporting structure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

an exterior face of the back panel bears a first component of hook-and-loop fastener material; and

the inner face of the mounting panel bears a second component of hook-and-loop fastener material,

the first and second components cooperating to releasably fasten the litter carrier to the support mount when the respective back panel and mounting panel are placed in adjacent facing relationship, the side flaps joining together snugly around the litter carrier to further secure the litter carrier to the support mount.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the side flaps of the support mount are arranged to overlap along overlapping portions and be further joined together by cooperating components of hook-and-loop fastener material attached to the overlapping portions of the side flaps.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a release handle attached to one of the side flaps for pulling apart the components of the hook-and-loop fastener material.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a securement lattice secured to an outer face of the mounting panel of the support mount opposite the inner face thereof, the securement lattice forming a plurality of aligned channels between the securement lattice and the mounting panel, the channels threadably receiving at least one strap for securing the support mount to the supporting structure.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a shroud having an opening for receiving the litter carrier and support mount for placement of the shroud over the litter carrier and support mount, the shroud further including an adjustable draw-closure device extending around the opening, the draw-closure device adapted for changing the size of the opening and for drawing the shroud around the support mount and the litter carrier when the shroud is placed thereon, the draw-closure device releasable for increasing the size of the opening to thereby enable removal of the shroud from the support mount and litter carrier.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the side flaps supports a storage pocket along an inner surface of the side flap facing the litter carrier when the litter carrier is secured to the support mount, the storage pocket being accessible when the side flaps are unjoined and spread apart to release the litter carrier.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the litter carrier includes a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end;

the support mount includes (i) a top end configured to be adjacent the top end of the litter carrier when the support mount releasably mounts the litter carrier and (ii) a bottom end opposite the top end and configured to be adjacent the bottom end of the litter carrier when the support mount releasably mounts the litter carrier;

the first shoulder strap includes a first end secured proximate the top end of the litter carrier and a second end secured proximate the bottom end of the litter carrier to extend the first loop over the back panel; and

the second shoulder strap includes a first end secured proximate the top end of the litter carrier and a second end secured proximate the bottom end of the litter carrier to extend the second loop over the back panel.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the side flaps of the mounting panel are connected between the top end and the bottom end of the support mount to extend laterally from the mounting panel in a direction transverse to the first and second loops.

26. The apparatus of claim 5, in which the mounting panel is stiffened by a rigid stiffener panel contained within the mounting panel.

8. A backpack carrier for storing a foldable stretcher and detachably mounting to a transportation tool, wherein said backpack carrier comprises:

a lightweight but durable fabric made backpack body, which is adapted for being carried by a user, which comprises a back panel, an upper holder provided at an upper edge of said back panel, and a separate lower holder provided at a lower edge of said back panel and vertically spaced apart from the upper holder to define a receiving cavity with said back panel, said upper holder, and said lower holder for receiving said foldable stretcher in said receiving cavity;

first and second quick-releasing fasteners provided at said upper and lower holders respectively opposite the back panel and fastenable together for retaining said foldable stretcher in said receiving cavity, wherein said first and second quick-releasing fasteners are adapted for being quickly unfastened by said user to take said foldable stretcher out of said backpack body; and

a transportation carrier, comprising;

a carriage sleeve detachably mounting to said backpack body for securely locking said foldable stretcher in said receiving cavity; and

a transportation mount provided at said carriage sleeve for detachably mounting said backpack body to said transportation tool, wherein said backpack carrier is adapted to be used between a transportation-carriage mode and a user-carriage mode, wherein at said transportation-carriage mode, said backpack body is carried by said transportation tool for being transported, and at said user-carriage mode, said backpack body is quickly detached from said transportation carrier for said user to carry.

9. The backpack carrier, as recited in claim 8, wherein said first quick-releasing fastener comprises a first length-adjustable strap extended from said upper and lower holders, and a buckle socket provided at said first length-adjustable strap, wherein said second quick-releasing fastener comprises a second length adjustable strap, and a buckle head which is provided at said second length-adjustable strap and is detachably engaged with said buckle socket to hold said upper and lower holders in position for retaining said foldable stretcher in said receiving cavity.

10. The backpack carrier, as recited in claim 8, wherein said upper holder has a top fabric panel, and an upper peripheral fabric downwardly extended from said top fabric panel to define an upper portion of said receiving cavity, wherein said lower holder has a bottom fabric panel and a lower peripheral fabric upwardly extended from said bottom fabric panel to define a lower portion of said receiving cavity, wherein said upper portion and said lower portion of said receiving cavity are arranged to respectively receive an upper portion and a lower portion of said foldable stretcher for allowing said foldable stretcher to be quickly taken out from said receiving cavity of said backpack body.

11. The backpack carrier, as recited in claim 9, wherein said upper holder has a top fabric panel, and an upper peripheral fabric downwardly extended from said top fabric panel to define an upper portion of said receiving cavity, wherein said lower holder has a bottom fabric panel and a lower peripheral fabric upwardly extended from said bottom fabric panel to define a lower portion of said receiving cavity, wherein said upper portion and said lower portion of said receiving cavity are arranged to respectively receive an upper portion and a lower portion of said foldable stretcher for allowing said foldable stretcher to be quickly taken out from said receiving cavity of said backpack body.

12. A storage and deployment system for a patient transport litter, comprising:

a fabric-made backpack body including a back panel, an upper bag section provided at an upper end of said back panel, and a separate lower bag section provided at a lower end of said back panel, said upper and lower bag sections spaced apart to define a receiving cavity with said back panel, said upper bag section, and said lower bag section for receiving said foldable stretcher in said receiving cavity;

first and second quick-releasing buckle components attached to said upper and lower bag sections, respectively, and fastenable together for retaining said foldable stretcher in said receiving cavity, wherein said first and second quick-releasing buckle components are adapted for being quickly unfastened by said user to take said foldable stretcher out of said backpack body; and

a transportation carrier, comprising;

a carrier support mount detachably mounting to said backpack body for securely locking said foldable stretcher in said receiving cavity; and

a transportation mount provided at said carrier support mount for detachably mounting said backpack body to said vehicle, wherein said backpack carrier is adapted to be used between a storage mode and a deployment mode, wherein at said storage mode, said backpack body is securely retained by said transportation carrier for storage or transport, and at said deployment mode, said backpack body is detached from said transportation carrier for said user to carry.

13. The backpack carrier, as recited in claim 12, wherein said upper bag section has a top fabric panel and an upper peripheral fabric downwardly extended from said top fabric panel to define an upper portion of said receiving cavity, wherein said lower bag section has a bottom fabric panel and a lower peripheral fabric upwardly extended from said bottom fabric panel to define a lower portion of said receiving cavity, wherein said upper portion and said lower portion of said receiving cavity are arranged to respectively receive an upper portion and a lower portion of said foldable stretcher for allowing said foldable stretcher being quickly taken out from said receiving cavity of said backpack body.

14. The backpack carrier, as recited in claim 12, wherein said carrier support mount comprises a fabric-made main sleeve having a shape and size encirclingly and transversely wrapping around said backpack body, a first sleeve buckle component provided at a side edge of said main sleeve, and a second sleeve buckle component which is provided at an opposed side edge of said main sleeve and is detachably fastened with said first sleeve buckle component to detachably attach said main sleeve around said backpack body at a position that said main sleeve is tightly wrapped around said backpack body to cover said first and second quick-releasing buckle components so as to lock up said foldable stretcher in said receiving cavity.

15. The backpack carrier, as recited in claim 13, wherein said carrier support mount comprises a fabric made main sleeve having a shape and size encirclingly and transversely wrapping around said backpack body, a first sleeve buckle component provided at a side edge of said main sleeve, and a second sleeve buckle component which is provided at an opposed side edge of said main sleeve and is detachably fastened with said first sleeve buckle component to detachably attach said main sleeve around said backpack body at a position that said main sleeve is tightly wrapped around said backpack body to cover said first and second quick-releasing buckle components so as to lock up said foldable stretcher in said receiving cavity.

16. The backpack carrier, as recited in claim 14, wherein said carrier support member further comprises a plurality of hook fasteners provided on said main sleeve and a plurality of loop fasteners provided on a rear side of said back panel of said backpack body to detachably fasten with said hook fastener so as to detachably mount said backpack body with said carrier sleeve in a rapidly detaching manner.

17. The backpack carrier, as recited in claim 15, wherein said carrier support member further comprises a plurality of hook fasteners provided on said main sleeve and a plurality of loop fasteners provided on a rear side of said back panel of said backpack body to detachably fasten with said hook fastener so as to detachably mount said backpack body with said carrier sleeve in a rapidly detaching manner.

20. An apparatus for casualty evacuation, comprising:

a litter carrier for carrying a patient transport litter to a site of use, the litter carrier including (i) a back panel with an exterior face bearing a first component of hook-and-loop fastener material, the back panel having opposite top and bottom ends, (ii) a bag portion attached to the back panel, the bag portion supporting and confining the patient transport litter and manually openable to release the patient transport litter from the litter carrier for use, (iii) a pair of shoulder straps each having first and second ends secured to the back panel proximate the respective top and bottom ends thereof to form first and second shoulder loops spaced apart and extending over the back panel, the first and second shoulder loops sized and arranged to fit around a wearer'"'"'s left and right shoulders, respectively, for carrying the litter carrier and patient transport litter on a wearer'"'"'s back; and

a support mount for releasably mounting the litter carrier to a vehicle or other supporting structure, the support mount including;

a mounting panel including an outer face adapted to be secured to a vehicle or other supporting structure, and an inner face bearing a second component of hook-and-loop fastener material that interengages with the first component of hook-and-loop fastener material on the back panel of the litter carrier to releasably fasten the litter carrier to the support mount when the respective back panel and mounting panel are placed in adjacent facing relationship, and

a pair of flexible side flaps attached to and extending laterally from the mounting panel transversely of the first and second shoulder loops when the respective back panel and mounting panel are placed in adjacent facing relationship, the side flaps sized to wrap around the litter carrier when the litter carrier is positioned adjacent an inner face of the mounting panel of the support mount, each side flap having a buckle component for releasably joining together the respective side flaps snugly around the litter carrier to thereby maintain positive contact between the first and second hook-and-loop fastener material and to secure the litter carrier to the support mount and the supporting structure,

wherein the first and second components of hook-and-loop fastener material comprise the sole means of attaching the litter carrier to the support mount when the side flaps are not joined together around the litter carrier, such that the litter carrier is detachable from the support mount by releasing the buckle components and pulling the litter carrier from the support mount to disengage the first and second components of hook-and-loop fastener material, and thereafter wearable as a backpack for carrying the patient transport litter.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, in which the support mount further includes a support strap extending downwardly from the mounting panel, the support strap adapted to extend under the litter carrier when the litter carrier is secured to the support mount and to releasably connect to at least one of the side flaps.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a support strap extending under the litter carrier when the litter carrier is secured to the support mount and upwardly to a strap buckle component at a distal end of the support strap, the strap buckle component releasably connectable together with both of the buckle components of the side flaps at a front side of the apparatus opposite the mounting panel to form a three-way harness around the litter carrier.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the bag portion of the litter carrier includes an upper bag section attached proximate the top end of the back panel opposite the shoulder straps, the upper bag section including a top panel and peripheral walls attached to and depending downwardly from the top panel toward a separate lower bag section attached proximate the bottom end of the back panel opposite the pair of shoulder straps, the lower bag section including a bottom panel and peripheral walls attached to and extending upwardly from the bottom panel toward the upper bag section, the upper and lower bag sections cooperating to define a receiving cavity for the patient transport litter, wherein the upper bag section covers a top portion of the patient transport litter, the lower bag section covers a bottom portion of the patient transport litter, and the upper and lower bag sections are joined along a first side by the back panel and spaced apart along a second side opposite the first side and joined together along the second side by a buckle.

24. The apparatus of claim 20, in which the outer face of the mounting panel of the support mount carries a securement lattice forming a plurality of aligned channels between the securement lattice and the mounting panel, the channels threadably receiving a plurality of attachment straps for securing the support mount to a vehicle or other structure.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, in which the mounting panel is stiffened by a rigid stiffener panel contained within the mounting panel.