초록 ▼

This invention is directed to a durable, compact, two-piece, light weight, load sustaining litter system for the transport of humans, animals or objects. The litter system comprises a litter frame, a fabric disposed between the structure of the frame, at least one hinge and at least one coupling mec

This invention is directed to a durable, compact, two-piece, light weight, load sustaining litter system for the transport of humans, animals or objects. The litter system comprises a litter frame, a fabric disposed between the structure of the frame, at least one hinge and at least one coupling mechanism. The litter system may be quickly assembled under adverse conditions and may be particularly beneficial in transporting individuals who are injured, disabled and/or incapable of movement under combat and/or emergency conditions.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A litter comprising: a frame formed in two parts;a fabric disposed on each part of the frame; andat least two couplers adapted for releasably coupling the two parts of the frame together to form the litter,wherein each of the two parts of the frame comprises two frame portions spaced apart from o

1. A litter comprising: a frame formed in two parts;a fabric disposed on each part of the frame; andat least two couplers adapted for releasably coupling the two parts of the frame together to form the litter,wherein each of the two parts of the frame comprises two frame portions spaced apart from one another and connected by a bar, wherein the bar comprises a hinge and a grip positioned below the hinge for quickly deploying the bar,wherein each frame portion comprises a first frame member and a second frame member connected by a hinge to allow folding of said frame portions to a folded position,wherein each said bar connects the first frame members of each said part of the frame,a pin attached to each of the second frame members, andwherein at least two feet are attached to each of said bars in a manner such that the feet rotate relative to said pins upon folding and unfolding of the frame portion, such that the pins ride along leading surfaces of the feet until they are positioned within a hole in each said leading surface of the feet. 2. The litter as claimed in claim 1, wherein each part of the frame further comprises at least two hinges which allow said parts of the frame to fold to present a smaller maximum dimension. 3. The litter as claimed in claim 2, wherein each part of the frame comprises at least three hinges which allow said parts of the frame to fold to present a smaller maximum dimension. 4. The litter as claimed in claim 2, wherein each said hinge comprises two identical hinge components. 5. The litter as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said part of the frame is identical. 6. The litter as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the hinge components includes a mating surface, wherein the mating surface of each hinge component abuts against the mating surface of another of said hinge components when said frame is in an unfolded position and wherein said hinge comprises a locking means for locking said hinge when said frame is in an unfolded position. 7. The litter as claimed in claim 6, wherein each said hinge component is provided with a set of teeth and wherein at least some teeth of one said hinge component fit between teeth of another said hinge component to form said hinge. 8. The litter as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of said teeth comprises a hole therethrough and said hinge further comprises a pin inserted through said holes in said teeth to attach said hinge components together and permit rotation of each of said hinge components about said pin through an angle of up to about 180 degrees. 9. The litter as claimed in claim 8, wherein each hinge component comprises a protruding member adapted for insertion into an opening in said frame for attaching each said hinge component to said frame. 10. The litter as claimed in claim 9, wherein said hinges attach to said frame by one of a press-fit, friction-fit or snap-fit. 11. The litter as claimed in claim 1, wherein each coupler comprises a male portion and a female portion. 12. The litter as claimed in claim 11, wherein each part of said frame is attached to one male portion of one said coupler at one location and one female portion of another said coupler at another location, whereby each part of said frame is interchangeable. 13. The litter as claimed in claim 11, wherein said male portion is tapered to facilitate insertion of said male portion of said coupler into said female portion of said coupler. 14. The litter as claimed in claim 11, wherein said coupler comprises a vertical pin, said male portion is provided with a tapered protrusion adapted for insertion into an opening in said female component that conforms in shape to tapered protrusion in order to align the male and female portions, and said female portion includes a hole through which said vertical pin may be inserted and said tapered protrusion of said male portion includes a slot in which said vertical pin rides during insertion of said male portion into said female portion and a hole in which said vertical pin is located when said male portion is fully inserted into said female portion. 15. The litter as claimed in claim 14, wherein said vertical pin has an asymmetric structure which, when turned ninety degrees, will no longer be able to pass through the slot in the tapered protrusion of the male portion of the coupler. 16. The litter as claimed in claim 7, wherein the mating surface is a planar surface positioned adjacent to the teeth and abuts a planar mating surface of an adjacent hinge component. 17. The litter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of: aluminum, aluminum alloys and mixtures thereof. 18. The litter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the litter is about 20 lbs or less. 19. The litter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the litter is about 10 lbs or less.