Patent ID: 7892253

Claim:
A tourniquet for restricting a flow of blood in a body part, the tourniquet comprising: (a) a first elongated member comprising: (i) a surface comprising both hook and loop structures; (ii) a first end and a second end; and (iii) a pocket; (b) a second elongated member positioned in the pocket, wherein a portion of the second elongated member is connected to the first end of the first elongated member; (c) a buckle connected to the second end of the first elongated member, the buckle comprising: (i) a first lateral side and a second lateral side; wherein the first and second lateral sides are spaced apart from and substantially parallel to each other; (ii) an intermediate bar located between the first and second lateral sides and substantially parallel to the first and second lateral sides, the intermediate bar including a top surface and a bottom surface with a first sidewall and a second sidewall therebetween; (iii) a first end and a second end interconnected to the first and second lateral sides and the intermediate bar; (iv) a first port located between the first lateral side and the intermediate bar; (v) a second port located between the second lateral side and the intermediate bar; (vi) a first tooth set situated on the first side wall of the intermediate bar and at least partially extending into the first port; and (vii) a second tooth set situated on the second side wall of the intermediate bar and at least partially extending into the second port; wherein the top surface of the intermediate bar is elevated with respect to the first and second ends of the buckle, with a first planar transition area between the top surface of the intermediate bar and the first end, and with a second planar transition area between the top surface of the intermediate bar and the second end, wherein the first and second planar transition areas are substantially parallel to the first lateral side; whereby the second end of the first elongated member is looped through the first port of the buckle to connect the first elongated member to the buckle; whereby the first end of the first elongated member is looped around the body part and through the first and second ports of the buckle so as to mount the first elongated member around the body part; (d) a windlass engaging the second elongated member, wherein the windlass is rotated to provide a tensile force in the second elongated member, wherein a compressive force is applied to the body part restricting the flow of blood in the body part; and (e) at least one hooked catch or a securing strap interconnected to the first elongated member for engaging a portion of the windlass and preventing a return rotation of the windlass after applying the tensile force.