Patient transport device, especially for an ambulance or rescue vehicle

Abstract

Patient transport device, in particular for an ambulance or rescue vehicle, with - a frame (14) with a transport area (10) divided along an imaginary center line (32) into a left-hand and a right-hand half (34, 36) for one person and - a restraint system (38) to secure a person on the transport area (10), - wherein the restraint system (38) is equipped with - a left-side shoulder strap (40) and a right-side shoulder strap (42), each having a first end (44) which can be detachably fixed to the frame (14) within the area occupied by the relevant partial surface (34, 36) of the transport surface (10), - a lap belt system (50) comprising a left-side lap belt subsystem (52) and a right-side lap belt subsystem (54), each lap belt subsystem (52, 54) comprising two V-shaped lap belts (56, 58) whose first ends can be detachably fixed to the frame (14) within the area occupied by the relevant partial surface (34, 36) of the transport surface (10) and whose second ends are connected to each other to form a node (60, 62), characterized in that - that the restraint system (38) is further equipped with - a detachable left-side buckle (74) for detachable connection of the second end (48) of the left-side shoulder strap (40) with the node (60) of the left-side lap belt system (52) and a detachable right-side buckle (74) for detachable connection of the second end (48) of the right-side shoulder strap (42) with the node (62) of the right-side lap belt system (54), - wherein the pelvic belt system (50) further comprises a pelvic center belt (64) connecting the node (60) of the left-sided pelvic belt subsystem (52) with the node (62) of the right-sided pelvic belt subsystem (54), - wherein the pelvic center belt (64) is length-adjustable and has a belt buckle (74) for releasing the connection of the nodes (60, 62) of the two pelvic belt subsystems (52, 54) and - wherein the two shoulder straps (40,42) and at least one hip strap (56,58) per hip belt subsystem (52,54) are each length-adjustable.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a patient transport device, such as those used in ambulances or rescue vehicles. Such a patient transport device can be a stretcher or a vehicle with a stretcher.

[0002] Patient transport devices for ambulances or rescue vehicles generally feature a stretcher frame that is either manually carried by two people or mounted on a chassis. The stretcher frame includes a transport platform, typically supported by a mattress. The frame generally consists of two longitudinal beams and two connecting crossbeams. The transport platform usually has a fixed central seat section, flanked on both sides by a headrest section that can be tilted, and a swiveling footrest.

[0003] To secure a person being transported on the patient transport device, these devices are equipped with restraint systems. Such a restraint system is described, for example, in DE 39 37 174 A1, DE 101 51 409 A1, DE 20 2007 016 952 U1 or EP 1 318 782 B1.

[0004] From US 2016 / 0338886 A1, a patient transport device with a restraint system according to the preamble of claim 1 is known.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a novel restraint system for a patient transport device.

[0006] To solve this problem, the invention proposes a patient transport device, in particular for an ambulance or rescue vehicle, which is equipped with - a frame with a transport area divided along an imaginary center line into a left-hand and a right-hand half for one person and - a restraint system to secure a person on the transport area, - the restraint system being equipped with - a left-side shoulder strap and a right-side shoulder strap, each having a first end that can be detachably fixed to the frame within the area occupied by the relevant part of the transport surface, - a lap belt system comprising a left-side lap belt subsystem and a right-side lap belt subsystem, each lap belt subsystem comprising two V-shaped lap belts, the first ends of which can be detachably fixed to the frame within the area occupied by the relevant part of the transport surface and the second ends of which are connected to each other to form a node, - a detachable left-side buckle and a detachable right-side buckle for detachable connection of the second end of the left-side shoulder strap to the node of the left-side waist belt system or of the second end of the right-side shoulder strap to the node of the right-side waist belt system, - wherein the pelvic belt system further comprises a pelvic center belt connecting the node of the left-sided pelvic belt subsystem with the node of the right-sided pelvic belt subsystem, - wherein the pelvic belt is length-adjustable and has a buckle for releasing the connection of the nodes of the two pelvic belt subsystems and - where both shoulder straps and at least one hip belt per hip belt subsystem are length-adjustable.

[0007] The patient transport device according to the invention is provided with a frame that has a transport surface for one person. This transport surface can be conceptually divided into a left-side and a right-side sub-surface. These two sub-surfaces are located on either side of an imaginary center line of the transport surface, which runs between the head end and the foot end of the transport surface.

[0008] A restraint system for securing a person on the transport platform or frame of the patient transport device can be attached to it. The restraint system has several straps and is equipped with a longitudinal shoulder strap and a right-side shoulder strap. Each of these shoulder straps has a first end that can be attached to the longitudinal or right-side half of the transport platform or the frame, and in particular, can be detachably attached. Furthermore, the restraint system has a pelvic belt system, which is divided into a longitudinal and a right-side pelvic belt section. Each pelvic belt section is equipped with two V-shaped pelvic belts: a head belt (pointing towards the head end of the transport platform) and a foot belt (pointing towards the foot end).The first ends of these four lap belts can be detachably fixed to the respective sections of the transport platform or to the frame. The second ends of the two V-shaped lap belts of each lap belt sub-system are permanently and securely connected to each other to form a node. A central lap belt is located between the nodes of both lap belt sub-systems, connecting the two nodes.

[0009] Each of the two shoulder straps has a buckle or buckle to allow for detachable connection to the waist belt system. As is typical for harness systems, both shoulder straps are length-adjustable, achieved through self-locking loops of the respective shoulder strap within the buckle or buckle openings, a principle that is generally known.

[0010] According to the invention, not only the shoulder straps, but also one of the hip belts in each hip belt section system, and in particular all four hip belts of the hip belt system, are length-adjustable. This allows the hip belt system to be adapted to the hip circumference of the person being transported. The length of the hip belt system can also be adjusted to the position of the person's hips. The position of the hips can change depending on whether, and if so, how much, the backrest of the transport platform is tilted. The length of the four hip belts is adjusted, for example, using a non-releasable buckle. Each hip belt is designed in two parts, with one part being permanently attached to the knot point and the other part forming the first end of the hip belt, which can be detachably fixed to the frame or the transport platform.Such belt length adjustments are generally known in the prior art and will not be described further here.

[0011] Alternatively to what has been said above, it is also possible to design only the two head-side pelvic belts of the four pelvic belts to be length-adjustable.

[0012] Furthermore, according to the invention, the restraint system may also have a leg strap which is equipped with a releasable buckle, wherein the leg strap is adjustable in length.

[0013] Such a leg strap can be fixed either to the frame or to the transport surface, namely to the foot section of the transport surface, which can be done, for example, by attaching the ends of the leg strap to the frame or to the foot section, or by the leg strap wrapping around the frame with the transport surface or the foot section of the transport surface.

[0014] As mentioned above, the restraint system according to the invention includes a central pelvic belt that connects the nodes of the two pelvic belt subsystems. This central pelvic belt is length-adjustable, which, as is typical for belt length adjustments, is achieved by a buckle that connects two sections of the central pelvic belt and incorporates a self-locking mechanism for easy length adjustment and to prevent further length changes under tensile loads. Alternatively, the buckle can be designed as a detachable buckle, allowing the pelvic belt system to be separated for application and then reattached to the person after they have been lowered onto the transport platform. The two shoulder straps can be detachably connected to the node of one of the other two pelvic belt subsystems by means of detachable buckles.The adjustable length of the pelvic belt now allows for length adjustments to the connection points of the two pelvic belt sections, and thus to the points where the shoulder straps connect to the pelvic belt system. This offers advantages in terms of how the shoulder straps are positioned over the upper body of the person being transported. For example, when transporting a pregnant woman, the shoulder straps could be routed from her shoulders, along both sides of her abdomen, to her hips. The position of the belt buckles in the pelvic area can then be precisely adjusted and secured using the adjustable length of the pelvic belt.

[0015] A feature of the invention is that the receiving side of the shoulder straps with the buckle is sewn to a fixed position on the pelvic belt system close to the knot point of the V-shaped pelvic belts. This is advantageous for adjustability with fixed points for pregnant women.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, each releasable belt buckle has an insertion element with a belt guide opening and a receiving element with a belt guide opening provided for receiving a part of the insertion element.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the receiving element of at least one of the releasable belt buckles, and preferably of all releasable belt buckles, may have two manually releasable locking pawls arranged on either side of an insertion opening, and the insertion element of at least one of the belt buckles, and preferably of all belt buckles, may have an insertion part for insertion into the insertion opening of the receiving element, wherein the insertion part is provided with two opposing locking recesses for receiving one of the locking pawls of the receiving element of the belt buckle. In tests regarding the handling of the restraint system and regarding testing the restraint function of the restraint system, belt buckles have proven to be suitable as releasable belt buckles.Belt buckles are identified as advantageous, which are offered under the name COBRA by AustriAlpin GmbH, Fulpmes, Stubaital, Austria (see also EP 2 165 619 B1, EP 2 762 028 B1, EP 2 713 798 B1, EP 2 627 208 B1, EP 2 845 508 B1 and AT 14 068 U1, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into the subject matter of the present application).

[0018] Preferably, all straps of the restraint system of the patient transport device according to the invention are easily removable from the frame, the transport surface, or the individual sections thereof. Removable or non-removable buckles made of temperature-resistant material, and in particular metal, are advantageously used. This applies to the COBRA buckles mentioned above. The straps themselves are also made of temperature-resistant fabric, so that the entire restraint system is easily removable for cleaning purposes and, moreover, has no elements that are susceptible to damage, such as becoming brittle, at elevated temperatures, such as those generated during cleaning.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the restraint system can also include a foot-side safety restraint with a footrest element projecting above the transport surface and with two securing straps extending from the footrest element to the left and right of it, having free ends by means of which the securing straps can be detachably fixed to the frame. It is advantageously provided that the footrest element has a keder strip that can be inserted into a C-shaped groove, open at its end face, for detachable attachment of the footrest element to the frame. Keder strips are generally known (see, for example, DE 90 15 581 U1). Attaching the footrest element by means of the keder strip is a simple procedure, which improves the ease of use of the restraint system. Advantageously, the opening of the C-shaped groove faces the foot-side end of the transport surface.The C-shaped profile is attached to the transport surface or the foot section of the transport surface and can be covered by a protective pad that is part of the foot support element, so that the mattress, which normally rests on the transport surface, does not come into contact with the C-profile and is thus protected from damage by the C-profile.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the ends of the straps of the restraint system which can be fixed to the frame are provided with release fittings and that mushroom-head pins or eyelets or eyes for the release fittings are arranged on the frame and / or that the ends of the straps of the restraint system which can be fixed to the frame can be placed as loops around poles, rods, struts or the like, other anchoring elements of the frame.

[0021] Finally, it may be advantageous to provide that the frame has a frame with two longitudinal beams and two transverse beams, that the transport platform has a fixed central seat section, a swiveling backrest section and a swiveling foot section, that the first ends of the two shoulder straps can be detachably fixed to the backrest section, that the leg strap, if present, can be detachably fixed to the frame of the frame or to the foot section of the transport platform, and that the V-shaped lap belts of the two lap belt subsystems each have a head-end and a foot-end lap belt, wherein the first end of the head-end lap belt of each lap belt subsystem can be detachably fixed to the backrest section or to the frame and the first end of the foot-end lap belt of each lap belt subsystem can be detachably fixed to the frame or the foot section.

[0022] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Specifically, the drawing shows: Fig. 1 a top view of the transport surface of a patient transport device with a restraint system according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2. A side view of the foot end of the patient transport device to illustrate the construction and mounting of the fall arrest system or the foot support element of the fall arrest system and Fig. 3 A representation of a release fitting on a mushroom-head-shaped anchoring element of the patient transport device.

[0023] Fig. Figure 1 shows a top view of the transport surface 10 of a patient transport device 12, which in turn has a frame 14 comprising two longitudinal beams 16 and two transverse beams 18, which together form a frame 20 on which four optionally retractable hand grips 21 are arranged. The transport surface 10 is located on the frame 20 and is either rigidly continuous or, as shown in Fig. The transport surface 10 can have a swiveling backrest section 22, a fixed seat section 24, and a swiveling foot section 26, as indicated in Figure 1. The transport surface 10 has a head end 28 and a foot end 30 and is divided on both sides of an imaginary center line 32 connecting these two ends into a left sub-surface 34 and a right sub-surface 36.

[0024] To secure a person on the transport platform 10, the patient transport device 12 has a restraint system 38 comprising several straps. This restraint system 38 has a left-side shoulder strap 40 and a right-side shoulder strap 42. Both shoulder straps 40, 42 are connected at their first ends 44 by openings 46 in the transport platform 10 and by openings in a (in Fig. 1. The mattress support (not shown) is guided and fixed below the transport surface 10 in a known manner. The other ends 48 of the two shoulder straps can be detachably connected to a pelvic belt system 50.

[0025] The lap belt system 50 comprises a left-side lap belt subsystem 52 and a right-side lap belt subsystem 54. Both subsystems 52, 54 are each provided with two V-shaped lap belts 56, 58. Each of these lap belts 56, 58 extends inwards from the longitudinal beams 16 or from the backrest section 22 (if such a pivotable backrest section is present), where they are connected at their ends to a left-side node 60 and a right-side node 62, respectively. Each of the shoulder straps 40, 42 is connected to these nodes 60, 62, as shown in Fig. 1 shown.

[0026] Between the two nodes 60,62 of the pelvic belt system 50 extends a pelvic center belt 64, which can be optionally separated.

[0027] In the lower section, the restraint system 38 also has a leg strap 66, the ends of which are attached to the longitudinal beams 16 and which can be optionally separated. Both parts 68 of the leg strap 66 can therefore be detachably connected to each other.

[0028] All straps of the restraint system 38 are designed to be length-adjustable, as is known from seat belts used in patient transport devices. For example, familiar belt buckles are used, which have belt guides and a locking element that allows the belt length to be conveniently adjusted (either shortened or lengthened) when unloaded, while the belt remains unchanged at its adjusted length under tensile loads. These belt buckles are available in Fig. 1 marked with reference number 70.

[0029] The length adjustability of a belt can also be integrated into a component of a releasable belt buckle (sometimes also called a belt lock), as is the case in Fig. 1 is marked with the reference number 72.

[0030] As demonstrated by Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the separable shoulder straps 40, 42, the separable center lap belt 64, and the separable leg strap 66 are each provided with a releasable buckle 74. Each such releasable buckle 74 has an insertion element 76 and a receiving element 78 that receives part of the insertion element 76. The insertion element 76 or the receiving element 78, or both, may have a device for length adjustment and automatic locking of the length-adjustable belt section attached to them.

[0031] The advantage of the restraint system 38 lies particularly in the fact that at least the two head-side lap belts 56, and preferably also the two foot-side lap belts 58 of the lap belt system 50, are length-adjustable. This makes it possible (in addition to length adjustment of the center lap belt 64) to adapt the lap belt system 50 to the pelvic circumference of the person being transported. When the backrest section 22 is pivotable, the head-side lap belts 56 are attached to this backrest section 22 (for example, to a frame of the backrest section 22). The two foot-side lap belts 58, on the other hand, are attached to the longitudinal rails 16. When the backrest section 22 is pivoted, the height above the hip area over which the lap belt system 50 must be guided changes. According to the invention, this height can be adjusted by length-adjusting the four, or at least two, of the four lap belts 56, 58.

[0032] The adjustable length of the pelvic center strap 64 allows the distance between the two knot points 60, 62 to be adapted to the person's anatomy. For example, if a pregnant woman is being transported, the two knot points 60, 62 can be spaced apart so that the shoulder straps 40, 42 can run laterally along the person's abdomen to their shoulders and around them. The distance between the knot points is fixed by adjusting the pelvic center strap.

[0033] As demonstrated by Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the restraint system 38 also includes a foot-side fall arrest device 80. The more detailed design of the fall arrest device 80 is shown in Figure 2. Fig. 2.

[0034] The safety catch 80 has a foot support element 82, which is angled and has a stiffened, possibly double-layered, fabric strip. The fabric strip is wrapped around a core 84 and together they form a keder strip 86. The keder strip 86 is guided laterally into a C-shaped profile element 88, which is attached to the foot section 26, or more generally, to the transport surface 10. Extending from the keder strip 86 is a fabric cover element 90, resembling a flap, which is folded over towards the head end 28 of the transport surface 10 and may be padded. The fabric cover element 90 serves as protection for a mattress pad (not shown in the figures) resting on the transport surface 10.

[0035] In its raised area, the footrest part is fixed to the longitudinal beams 16 by means of, for example, a continuous safety belt with two safety belt sections 92 in a manner known per se, specifically in the area where the pelvic belt system 50 is positioned.

[0036] The individual straps of the restraint system 38 are secured, for example, by means of loops or fittings. Both fastening concepts are generally known. It is advantageous if the fittings are implemented as release fittings 94 (not shown in the figures). Such release fittings 94 are generally known, but represent a novelty in the context of restraint systems for transport devices. How a release fitting 94 can be attached to and detached from, for example, a mushroom-shaped pin 96 of the frame 14 of the patient transport device is shown. Fig. 3. Reference symbol list 10 Transport area 12 Patient transport device 14 frame 16 longitudinal beams 18 crossbeams 20 frames 21 steps 22 Backrest section 24 seat section 26 Foot section 28 head end 30 foot-side end 32 Center line 34 left partial area 36 right partial area 38 Restraint system 40 left-side shoulder strap 42 right-side shoulder strap 44 first ends of the shoulder straps 46 openings 48 other ends of the shoulder straps 50 pelvic belt system 52 left-sided pelvic belt subsystem 54 right-sided pelvic belt subsystem 56 head-side pelvic belts 58 foot-side pelvic belts 60 left-hand junction 62 right-hand junction 64 Pelvic center belt 66 Leg strap 68 leg strap parts 70 belt buckle 72 belt buckle part 74 detachable belt buckles 76 Insert element 78 Recording element 80 Safety device 82 Footrest element 84 souls 86 Keder strip 88 Profile element 90 Fabric cover element 92 safety belt sections 94 Release fitting 96 cones

Claims

[1] Patient transport device, in particular for an ambulance or rescue vehicle, with - a frame (14) with a transport surface (10) for one person, divided along an imaginary center line (32) into a left-hand and a right-hand part half (34, 36) and - a restraint system (38) for securing a person on the transport surface (10), - wherein the restraint system (38) is provided with - a left-hand shoulder strap (40) and a right-hand shoulder strap (42), each having a first end (44) which can be releasably fixed to the frame (14) within the area occupied by the relevant partial surface (34, 36) of the transport surface (10), - a lap belt system (50) comprising a left-side lap belt subsystem (52) and a right-side lap belt subsystem (54), each lap belt subsystem (52, 54) comprising two V-shaped lap belts (56, 58), the first ends of which are detachably fixable to the frame (14) within the area occupied by the respective sub-area (34, 36) of the transport surface (10) and the second ends of which are connected to one another to form a node point (60, 62), characterized by , - that the restraint system (38) is further provided with - a detachable left-side belt buckle (74) for detachably connecting the second end (48) of the left-side shoulder belt (40) to the node point (60) of the left-side lap belt subsystem (52) and a detachable right-side belt buckle (74) for detachably connecting the second end (48) of the right-side shoulder belt (42) to the node point (62) of the right-side lap belt subsystem (54), - wherein the lap belt system (50) further comprises a lap center belt (64) connecting the node point (60) of the left-side lap belt subsystem (52) to the node point (62) of the right-side lap belt subsystem (54), - wherein the lap center belt (64) is adjustable in length and has a belt buckle (74) for releasing the connection of the node points (60, 62) of the two lap belt subsystems (52, 54) and - wherein the two shoulder straps (40,42) and at least one lap belt (56,58) per lap belt subsystem (52,54) are each adjustable in length. [2] Patient transport device according to claim 1, characterized by that the restraint system (38) further comprises a leg belt (66) provided with a detachable belt buckle (74), the leg belt (66) being adjustable in length. [3] Patient transport device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat each detachable belt buckle (74) has an insertion element (76) with a belt passage opening and a receiving element (78) provided for receiving a part of the insertion element (76) with a belt passage opening. [4] Patient transport device according to claim 3, characterized by that the receiving element (78) of at least one of the detachable belt buckles (74) or of all the detachable belt buckles (74) has two manually releasable locking pawls arranged on both sides of an insertion opening, and that the insertion element (76) of at least one of the belt buckles (74) and preferably of all the belt buckles (74) has an insertion part for insertion into the insertion opening of the receiving element (78), wherein the insertion part is provided with two mutually opposite locking recesses for receiving a different one of the locking pawls of the receiving element (78) of the belt buckle (74). [5] Patient transport device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that, where present, detachable or non-detachable belt buckles (72,74) are each made of temperature-resistant material and in particular of metal. [6] Patient transport device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the restraint system (38) further comprises a foot-side fall arrester (80) with a foot support element (82) projecting above the transport surface (10) and with two securing belts (92) which extend from the left and right sides of the foot support element (82) and have free ends by means of which the securing belts (92) can be releasably fixed to the frame (14). [7] Patient transport device according to claim 6, characterized by that the foot support element (82) has a piping strip (86) which can be inserted into a groove which is open at the end and has a C-shaped cross section for the detachable attachment of the foot support element (82) to the frame (14). [8] Patient transport device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the ends of the straps of the restraint system (38) that can be fixed to the frame (14) are provided with release fittings (94) and that mushroom-head pins (96) or eyelets or eyes for the release fittings (94) are arranged on the frame and / or that the ends of the straps of the restraint system (38) that can be fixed to the frame (14) can be laid as loops around bars, rods, struts or other anchoring elements of the frame (14). [9] Patient transport device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized bythat the frame (14) has a frame (20) with two longitudinal beams (16) and two transverse beams (18), that the transport surface (10) has a fixed central seat part (24), a pivotable backrest part (22) and a pivotable foot part (26), that the first ends (44) of the two shoulder straps (40, 42) are releasably fixable to the backrest part (22), that the leg strap (66), if present, is releasably fixable to the frame (20) of the frame (14) or to the foot part (26) of the transport surface (10) and that the V-shaped lap belts (56, 58) of the two lap belt sub-systems (52, 54) each have a head-side lap belt (56) and a foot-side lap belt (58), wherein the first end of the head-side lap belt (56) of each Lap belt subsystem (52,54) on the backrest part (22) or on the frame (20) and the first end of the foot-side lap belt (58) of each lap belt subsystem (52,54) is releasably fixable on the frame (20) or the foot part (26). [10] Patient transport device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by a support mattress on the transport surface (10).

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