Patent Publication Number: US-2020289349-A1

Title: Litter

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure is directed to a litter for carrying a load. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     Certain situations require an injured and/or immobilized individual to be moved from to a secondary location. In some situations, large equipment such as a gurney or a stretcher can be brought to the immobile person, the person loaded thereon, and pushed or wheeled to the secondary location. However, when such tools as a stretcher or gurney are not feasible, more mobile and often lighter weight options are necessary to aid an immobilized person. A need exists for a more versatile option for carrying an immobilized person when a stretcher and/or gurney are not adequate or feasible. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the disclosed device is to provide a means for carrying one or more persons who are partially or totally immobile. For example, the litter provides carrying means for a soldier injured on the battlefield, a hiker immobilized by an injury, and/or other persons unable to walk. The immobilized person can be positioned on the litter and one or more carriers can take hold of the litter and move it and the immobilized person to another location. 
     Another aspect of the disclosed device is to provide a litter that is collapsible into a configuration suitable to be stored in a small pouch or pocket. 
     Another aspect of the disclosed devices is to provide a litter that is self-expanding. That is to say, when the user removes it from its storage pouch and otherwise activated by the user, one or more features of the litter cause the litter to expand into its open configuration. The user can then more quickly attend to the immobilized person and transfer them onto the litter. 
     Another aspect of the disclosed devices is to provide a litter that has a plurality of handles to provide multiple carrying options. 
     Additional aspects of the litter can include methods of making and using the same in accordance with the foregoing aspects. It should also be noted that the litter further encompasses the various possible combinations of the aspects and features disclosed herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRITION OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate various exemplary implementations and are part of the specification. The illustrated implementations are proffered for purpose of example, not for purpose of limitation. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a litter, as shown and described herein. 
         FIG. 1  a depicts second perspective view of the litter, as shown and described herein. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a litter, as shown and described herein. 
         FIG. 2 a    depicts a perspective view of a folding litter, as shown and described herein. 
         FIG. 2 b    depicts a side view of a folding litter, as shown and described herein. 
         FIG. 2 c    depicts a side view of a folding litter, as shown and described herein. 
         FIG. 2 d    depicts a side view of a folding litter and container, as shown and described. herein. 
         FIG. 2 e    depicts a side view of an unfolding litter and container, as shown and described herein. 
         FIG. 2 f    depicts a side view of an unfolding litter, as shown and described herein. 
         FIG. 2 g    depicts a perspective view of an unfolding litter, as shown and described herein. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a perspective top view of the alterative embodiment of a litter with a load, as shown and described herein. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a perspective top view of another alternative embodiment of a litter, as shown and described herein. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a perspective top view of another alternative embodiment of a litter, as shown and described herein. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a perspective top view of another alternative embodiment of a litter, as shown and described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The litter described herein can include one or more perimeter straps forming the exterior boundary for the litter. The boundary can also include one or more head cradles, one or more horizontal straps, and one or more vertical straps. A canvas can be attached to and otherwise disposed within the boundary of the perimeter strap and can form the surface on which a load can be set. In most embodiments, and first and/or second end of each of the horizontal straps and vertical straps can be connected directly to the perimeter strap to provide structural integrity to the litter. The terms “vertical” and “horizontal” are used herein to describe the orientation of the straps in relation to one another, not to describe the orientation of the straps to the ground. For convenience, the terms “horizontal” and “vertical” used to describe the straps are generally intended to correspond to the position of the body/load placed on the litter. 
     The litter is intended to provide a means for carrying a load. In most cases, that load is intended to be a human or animal body, generally elongated in shape with the weight mostly distributed in a torso region, extending between the body&#39;s shoulders and waist. The litter&#39;s elongated shape is generally defined by the shape of the canvas and/or the shape of the perimeter strap. For purpose of disclosure, a top section of the litter can be designated as the “head end” and the opposing or bottom section of the litter can be designated as the “foot end” of the litter. The lengths of canvas and/or perimeter strap(s) disposed between the head end and foot end can generally be referred to as the “sides” of the litter; distinguished as a first side, or left side, of the litter and as a second side, or right side, of the litter. 
     As used herein, the people who might use the litter generally do so in three capacities: the user, the load, and the carrier(s). The “user” refers to the person. who will carry the litter in the collapsed position when it is not in use and will be the person who will retrieve, open, close, and store the litter as it is needed. The “load” refers to the person or other object who is to be placed on the litter and carried from one point to another. As litters are generally used for a means to carry injured or deceased persons, the reader should anticipate that any reference to a “load” being a human body would include a person&#39;s head, torso, one or two arms, and one or two legs. The “carrier(s)” refers to one or more persons who are tasked with carrying the litter when it is burdened by the load. As with litters of all kinds, the carrier can most effectively manipulate the position of the litter from one place to another, by each carrier using his/her hand to grasp the litter, lift the litter, and carrier or drag the litter to a secondary location. 
     As disclosed herein, one or more carrying points can be disposed on the litter for means of effectively carrying the load. For example, one or more handles can be affixed to the perimeter strap so that one or more people can carry the load bearing litter. The litter is also designed to be foldable so that it can be compactly stored when not in use. The litter also can include one or more expanding components so that the litter can be expanded or “opened” with little effort by the user. Quick expansion is particularly beneficial in emergency situations, such as a soldier injured during an ongoing gun fight. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the litter  100  can include the perimeter strap  110  forming a frame or boundary for the body of the litter  100 . The canvas  112  can be disposed within the perimeter strap  110  to form a semi-solid surface on which a load can be placed. The canvas  112  can be attached to the perimeter strap  110  by sewing, gluing, or other appropriate means so that when a load is placed on the litter  100  and the litter lifted by one or more carriers about the perimeter strap  110 , the perimeter strap  110  will remain attached to the canvas  112 . The shape of the litter  100 , as generally presented by the canvas  112  and perimeter strap  110  assembly, can be generally elongated in shape so as to hold a human body. The head end  116  can be or include a top end of the litter  100  and the foot end  118  can be or include a bottom end of the litter  100 . 
     For additional support for bearing a load, the litter  100  can include the one or more vertical straps (three are shown:  122 ,  124 ,  126 ) and the one or more horizontal straps (four are shown:  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138 ). The litter  100  can include a first horizontal strap, or “cranial strap”  132 , a second horizontal strap, or “neck strap”  134 , a third horizontal strap, or “torso strap”  136 , and a fourth. horizontal strap, or “lower body strap”  138 . Each of the horizontal straps  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138  generally extend across the litter  100 , having a first end attached to the perimeter strap  110  about a first side  104  of the litter and a second end attached to the perimeter strap  110  about a second side  106  of the litter. 
     The litter  100  can include a head cradle  114  to contain and otherwise support the head of a load. The head cradle  114  can include one or more support straps to provide stability to the head during transit. As shown, the cranial strap  132  and the neck strap  134  can form a portion of the head cradle  114 . For example, one or more cradle straps  114   a - c  can extend or otherwise be disposed between the cranial strap  132  and the neck strap  134  to form the head cradle  114 . A first cradle strap  114   a  can extend between and attach at its ends to the cranial strap  132  and neck strap  134 . Similarly, a second cradle strap  114   b  can extend between and attach at its ends to the cranial strap  132  and neck strap  134 . A third cradle strap  114   c  can extend between the first and second cradle straps  114   a,    114   b  and attach to the first cradle strap  114   a  about its first end and attach to the second cradle strap  114   b  about its second end. 
     The head cradle  114  can take on one or more alternative embodiments (not shown). In a first example, head cradle  114  can include a netted or bungy material for securing the load&#39;s head during transit. In a second example, the head cradle  114  can include or more padded materials, such as a pillow of air or a cotton like material. 
     The vertical straps can be positioned intermittently across the litter  100  and extend from the first and or second horizontal straps  132 ,  134  to the fourth horizontal strap  138  and/or to the perimeter strap  110  at the foot end of the litter  100 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first vertical strap  122  can be connected to the neck strap  134  and extend to the perimeter strap  110  about the foot end  118  of the litter  100 . The second vertical strap  1 . 24  can be connected to the neck strap  134  and extend to the perimeter strap  110  about the foot end  118  of the litter  100 . The third vertical strap  126  can be connected to the neck strap  143  and extend to the perimeter strap  110  about the foot end  118  of the litter  100 . The vertical straps  122 ,  124 ,  126  can be spaced out evenly, or unevenly, to provide support to the litter  100  when a load is carried. As shown, the vertical straps  122 ,  124 ,  126  can be evenly, or generally evenly, spread out to provide equal distancing between the perimeter strap  110  at the first side  104  of the litter, the first vertical strap  122 , the second vertical strap  124 , the third vertical strap  126 , and the perimeter strap at the second side  106  of the litter  100 . 
     The litter  100  can also include one or more integrity straps for the purpose of maintaining the integrity of the litter  100 . Such integrity straps can be included in portions or regions of the litter  100  that one might expect to endure increased or heightened wear and tear compared to other portions of the litter  100 . For example, an integrity strap can be included in the foot end  118  of the litter  100  to account for expected wear and tear from a load&#39;s boots during transport. As show, the litter  100  can include a foot strap  140  that extends between the first vertical strap  122  and the third vertical strap  126 . 
     The canvas and the straps disclosed herein can be considered as layers of the litter, with the canvas forming a first layer and the plurality of straps collectively forming the second layer. As shown in  FIG. 1   a,  the canvas  112  can form the top layer and the straps can form the bottom layer. In an alternative embodiment, the canvas can form the bottom layer and the straps can form the top layer. The canvas can be attached to the perimeter strap by sewing, gluing, or other appropriate attachment means. The straps can be attached to one another at any point at which the straps cross or overlay one another. Similar attaching means can be used, including sewing and gluing. In most embodiments, the straps within the perimeter strap will be attached to some other strap at least at its first end and at its second end to provide structural purpose, effectiveness, and strength for that particular strap. The canvas can be attached to the perimeter strap and/or any other strap of the litter. The canvas can be attached to any one or more straps along the entire length of the strap, at one or more attachment points on the strap, or about one or more lengths of the strap. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a second embodiment of the litter  200  can include one or more horizontal straps  232 ,  234 ,  236 ,  238 , one or more vertical straps  222 ,  224 ,  226 , one or more head cradles  214 , one or more integrity straps  240 , the canvas  212 , one or more shaping rods  242 ,  244 ,  246 , or any combination thereof. Similar to  FIG. 1 , the shape and/or orientation of the litter  200  can be defined by perimeter strap  210 , a general first side  204  of the litter  200 , a general second side  206  of the litter  200 , a head end  216 , and a foot end  218 , The horizontal straps  232 ,  234 ,  236  and vertical straps  222 ,  224 ,  226  can be distributed across the litter  200  the same as, or similar to, their distribution in  FIG. 1 . 
     As discussed below, the litter  200  can be collapsed into one or more configurations for storage. However, when the litter is to be opened, the user is tasked with unfolding or otherwise opening the litter into the open configuration so that it can be used, In an emergency, as with an injured soldier on the battlefield, every second matters when it comes to opening the litter the get it ready for use. The shaping rods are intended to help quicken that process. 
     The shaping rods can include material that is elastic. For example, the elastic material can include rubber and/or plastic. The shaping rods can also include a fibrous material, such as carbon fiber, being flexible and having shape memory such that it can return to its predetermined shape when not otherwise restrained. The shaping rods can include an apparatus similar to the form and function of tent poles. For example, the shaping rod can include a plurality of tubular metal or plastic sections connected by an elastic or bungy type cord running through the center thereof and connected at the first and second ends of the shaping rod. Upon opening, the bungy cord material can cause tension to draw the plurality of tubular sections together and keep them as such under tension, giving shape to the litter. 
     In yet another embodiment, the shaping rods can also include or otherwise be made of material that has some shape memory characteristics, Such materials can include shape-memory polymers (SMPs), which are polymeric smart materials that have the ability to return from a deformed state, its temporary shape, to its original (permanent) shape induced by an external stimulus (trigger), such as temperature change. 
     The shaping rods  242 ,  244 ,  246  can be disposed on or otherwise attached to the canvas  212  and/or any one or more of the straps to provide a means for opening the litter  200  into an open position quickly, requiring less burden on the user to take the litter  200  from a closed configuration to an open configuration. The shaping rods can be disposed at one or more positions on the litter  200  and in most cases can be sewn into a housing that is affixed to the canvas  212 . For example, the shaping rods can be housed, sewn into, or totally encompassed by a length of canvas or canvas type material. That shaping rod housing can then be separately sewn or other wise attached to the canvas at the desired positions. As described herein in the context of a shaping rod being disposed at a position on the canvas, the shaping rod can be directly attached to the canvas or other parts of the litter or can be housed within a housing that is attached to the canvas or other parts of the litter. 
     A first shaping rod  242  can be disposed on the canvas  212  below (as shown), above, alongside, and/or in line with the neck strap  234 . A second shaping rod  244  can be disposed on the canvas  212  below (as shown), above, alongside, and/or in line with the torso strap  236 . A third shaping rod  246  can be disposed on the canvas  212  below (as shown), above, alongside, and/or in line with the lower body strap  238 . 
     The litter  200  can be collapsed and/or compressed into a number of closed configurations for storage. Referring to  FIG. 2 a   , in a first embodiment the litter  200  can be collapsed by rolling the litter  200  about tits vertical length, from the head end  216  to the foot end  218 , or vice versa. Referring to  FIG. 2 b    and  FIG. 2 c   , once rolled, the litter can be folded into thirds about its horizontal length. As shown in the figures, the rolled litter  200  can be folded into thirds. In alternative embodiments, the litter  200  can be folded into halves, the litter  200  can be folded into fourths, the litter  200  can be folded into fifths, the litter  200  can be folded into sixths about its horizontal length. Referring to  FIG. 2 d   , once folded the litter  200  can be placed into a storage container  255 , The storage container  255  can include a nylon or canvas sack sized to hold the litter in its closed configuration. In one or more embodiments, the storage container  255  can be sewn to the litter  200  such that, once the litter  200  is rolled and folded into its closed configuration, the storage container  255  is still accessible to the user for placing the closed litter into the storage container  255 . 
     The litter  200  can be maneuvered by the user from the closed configuration to the open configuration, The user can remove the litter  200  from the storage container  255  and unfold the litter  200  to the open configuration, If the litter  200  was folded and stored as described in  FIG. 2 a    through  FIG. 2 d   , the user can remove the litter  200  from the storage container  255  as shown in  FIG. 2 e   , unfold the litter  200  about horizontal length as shown in  FIG. 2 f   , and unroll the litter  200  about its vertical length as shown in.  FIG. 2   g.    
     The litter can be stored in its closed configuration and is typically stored in its storage container  255 . When a litter contains one or more shaping rods, the stored litter is typically under tension as the rods are restrained either by the confines of the storage container or by one or more restraining straps used to keep the litter closed. To maneuver the litter to the open configuration, or at least partially open configuration (for example, as shown in  FIG. 2 f   ), the user can remove the restraint placed on the litter. To do this the user can carefully grasp the litter within the storage container so that his hand now acts to keep the litter closed, remove the litter from the storage container, arid release his grip on the litter. The litter is then free to open as much is provided by the shaping rods disposed on that embodiment of the litter. Once the shaping rods have exhausted their effect, the user can then finish the opening process by hand (such as unrolling the litter as shown in  FIG. 2 g   ). 
     Once in the open configuration, the load can be laid on the litter  200  as shown in  FIG. 3 . In most cases, the load will be a human or animal body, generally elongated in shape with the weight mostly distributed in a torso region, extending between the body&#39;s shoulders and waist, The person&#39;s head can be placed on or about the head cradle at the head end  216  with the body extending downward so that the feet are disposed on or about the foot end  218 , The person&#39;s chest and torso can be placed on or about the litter over a region of the litter that includes the torso strap  236 . The person&#39;s legs can be placed on or about the litter over a region of the litter that includes the lower body strap  238 . 
     Once the load is in position, the carrier(s) can take hold of the litter, lift, and move the litter to another location. As also shown in  FIG. 3 , the litter  200  can include a plurality of handles for carrying of the litter  200 . For example, the litter  200  can have one or more side handles, which can include a forward left-side handle  261   a,  a forward right-side handle  261   b,  a rear-left side handle  262   a,  and a rear right-side handle  262   b.  The side handles can be distributed about the right and left sides of the litter  200  to provide adequate weight distribution of the load on the carriers so that each carrier is burdened with approximately the same weight as the other carriers. The handles are also distributed around sides of the litter in such a way as to ensure the load stays in the litter, and does not topple over, with the load is being carried. In an alternative embodiment, though not show, the litter can have two or more side handles, six or more side handles, eight or more side handles, or ten or more side handles. Though not shown, the litter can also have one or more handles disposed about the bottom end of the litter. 
     In one or more embodiments, the litter  200  can be carried or dragged by a single person taking hold of a top section of the perimeter strap  210 . Specifically, the top section of the perimeter strap can include the length of the perimeter strap  210  the extends above and loops around the ends of the cranial strap  232 . The canvas can be left out or otherwise absent from the section of the litter encompassed by this top portion of the perimeter strap  210 . As such, the carrier can place his body within this loop, place the top portion of the perimeter strap  210  around his body (over his shoulder and/or around his chest) and draft the litter  100  burdened by the load. With this method, a single user can at least drag the litter  100  with the load to a second location. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , an alternative embodiment of the litter  400  can include a perimeter strap  410 , a cranial strap  432 , a neck strap  434 , a head cradle  414 , a torso strap  436 , a lower body strap  438 , and one or more cross-section straps  462 ,  464 ,  466 ,  468 . As shown, the canvas can be absent, though, in other embodiments, the canvas can be included on one or more portions of the litter. The one or more cross section straps can include two torso cross section straps  462 ,  464  that each attach to the perimeter strap at each end and crisscross as they cross each other (and/or the torso strap  436 ) about the middle of the litter  400 . The one or more cross section straps can also include two lower body cross section straps  466 ,  468  that each attach to the perimeter strap at each end and crisscross as they cross each other (and/or the lower body strap  438 ) about the middle of the litter  400 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts an alternative embodiment of the litter  500  having perimeter strap, a cranial strap, a neck strap, a head cradle, two parallel torso straps, two mid-body or lower body straps, two foot straps, and two vertical straps that extend between the neck strap and the two foot straps. 
       FIG. 6  depicts an alternative embodiment of the litter  600  having perimeter strap, a cranial strap, a neck strap, a head cradle, two parallel torso straps, two mid-body or lower body straps, and two vertical straps that extend between the neck strap and the two foot straps, The portion of the canvas below the lower of the two foot straps can be open, otherwise not containing the canvas, so that a carrier can use the large looped portion of the perimeter strap at the bottom of the litter as a drag strap. 
     In one or more embodiments, the canvas can be included for a portion or all the litter within the perimeter strap, In some embodiments, I may be preferable to have the canvas absent from one or more portions of the litter to provide for easier carrying, lighter overall weight, and/or personal preference. 
     The distance between each strap is not dependent upon an exact quantifiable distance, rather a relative distance between all components/straps of the litter such that the weight distribution of a load is accounted for to provide easier means of carrying for the one or more persons carrying the load on the litter, Similarly, the distance between straps will depend on the size of the litter and the expected load to be carried in general use. For example, litters manufactured for the expected use of carrying very heavy load might include several more vertical straps and/or several more horizontal straps. Similarly, litters manufactured for the expected use of carrying light loads might include fewer horizontal straps and/or fewer vertical straps. The number of straps of the litter will often also take into existence its storability and weight of the overall litter. For example, a litter intended to be carried by a medical soldier in the filed of battle needs to be as light as possible, while still as durable and dependable as possible, so the soldier can still perform his tasks while carrying the stored litter on his person. In that regard, the material used to manufacture the litter and/or the amount of material used to manufacture the litter can be modified for optimization. 
     Although the present litter has been described with respect to specific details and embodiments, it is not intended that such description be regarded as limitations on the scope of the apparatus. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous alternative arrangements that, while not shown or described herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and thus are within its spirit and scope.