Patent ID: 7707666

Claim:
A litter tie-down apparatus for releasably securing a litter in place in an air or ground vehicle during operation of the vehicle to transfer a patient on the litter to a medical facility for treatment, the liter including a body supporting member and lifting handles extending from the body supporting member, the liter tie-down apparatus comprising: a) a longitudinally elongated main body strap member terminating in opposite longitudinal terminal ends, each end mounting a loop member arranged to transversely receive therethrough a lifting handle of the litter, b) first and second elongated, flexible securement strap members overlying said main body strap member having inner end portions secured on said main body strap member for extension of the opposite, outer, free end portions of the securement strap members outwardly beyond respective opposite loop members of the main body strap member, the outer free ends of each securement strap member mounting a selected fastener member arranged for releasable connection to a securement fixture mounted on a vehicle transporting the litter, c) adjustment means supported on the main body strap member for engaging the first securement strap member and for adjusting the length of the first securement strap member extending outwardly from one loop member of the main body strap member, and d) quick-release adjustment means supported on the main body strap member for engaging the second securement strap member and for adjusting the length of the second securement strap member extending outwardly from the other, opposite loop member of the main body strap member, and for quickly releasing the strap member from an adjusted length, e) whereby, with the main body strap member engaging the lifting handles of the litter and the securement strap fastener members connected to securement fixtures in a vehicle, the length of each securement strap member may be shortened into a tensioned condition of interengagement between the securement fixtures and the litter-engaging main body securement strap in which the litter is secured against movement on the vehicle, and the tensioned condition may be quickly released when desired to permit separation of the main body strap member from the lifting handles for removal of the litter from the vehicle.