Patent ID: 7922052

Claim:
A carrying strap arrangement for use in supporting a stretcher ( 10 ) in a land vehicle, aircraft or watercraft, comprising: a carrying strap ( 13 ) having ends; respective fittings ( 14 , 15 ) disposed at said ends of said carrying strap ( 13 ) for attachment to a ceiling and a floor of the vehicle such that said carrying strap ( 13 ) is adapted to be stretched between the ceiling and the floor; at least one support strap ( 18 ) disposed on said carrying strap ( 13 ) and formed into a strap loop ( 26 ) adapted to accommodate a carrying handle ( 11 ) of the stretcher ( 10 ); a pass-through fitting ( 19 ), wherein said support strap ( 18 ) is guided in a sliding manner through said pass-through fitting ( 19 ) to form said strap loop ( 26 ), and wherein an end of said support strap ( 18 ) is secured to said pass-through fitting ( 19 ) such that under load conditions, said support strap ( 18 ) is adapted to be drawn through said pass-through fitting ( 19 ) and said strap loop ( 26 ) is adapted to be constricted; and a spring element ( 27 ) disposed in said strap loop ( 26 ), wherein in an unloaded condition of said strap loop said spring element ( 27 ) is adapted to expand said strap loop ( 26 ).