Strap tightening device

Abstract

The present invention provides a strap tightening device that can be used as a tourniquet by tightly fastening the strap to a restrained object. [Solution] The strap tightening device 1 comprises a frame 10, a one-way clamp 20, and a tightening assembly 30, and tightens the strap. The one-way clamp is pivotally attached to the frame and includes a strap engagement portion 21. The strap engagement portion allows the strap to pass through the one-way clamp in only one direction. The tightening assembly includes a strap shaft 31 and an operating handle 32, and is installed on one side of the one-way clamp and pivotally attached to the frame. The strap shaft includes an opening. The strap shaft is connected to the operating handle. The operating handle can swing back and forth with the frame as a pivot point and rotate the strap shaft.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastening device, and particularly to a strap fastening device used for a tourniquet.

Background Art

[0002] In the field of emergency medicine, a tourniquet is an important instrument used to temporarily block the blood flow in the limbs and stop the bleeding of the injured. Conventional tourniquets usually consist of a strap that can be wrapped around the limbs and a fixing / tightening member. In some designs, a cam buckle is adopted as the tightening mechanism. The cam buckle usually consists of a frame and a rotatable cam piece. The tourniquet is inserted into the frame, and under the action of an elastic member, the cam piece presses the strap surface to pull the strap to a desired length. After adjusting the length, it is held at a predetermined position.

[0003] Since the cam buckle has a simple and small structure and can be operated with one hand, it is particularly suitable for situations where immediate hemostasis is required, such as emergency before arriving at the hospital, medical treatment at the disaster site or on the battlefield. The rescuer can quickly fix the tourniquet to the patient's limbs in a short time. Also, when releasing the cam buckle, the tourniquet can be quickly loosened by simply pressing the cam piece, so that subsequent medical treatment can be easily performed.

[0004] However, when applying a cam buckle to a tourniquet, the compression state is mainly maintained by the frictional force between the cam piece and the strap. Therefore, the tightening force and stability that can be provided are easily affected by the magnitude of the force applied by the user, the material of the strap, and the compressed area. When it is necessary to apply a large pressure to a thick limb or a wound with a large amount of bleeding, there is a risk that the cam buckle structure alone cannot stably maintain sufficient pressure for hemostasis, and there is still room for improvement in the related technology.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The objective of this invention is to provide a strap tightening device that can be used as a tourniquet by tightly fastening the strap to the object being restrained. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the strap tightening device according to claim 1 is a strap tightening device comprising a frame, a one-way clamp, and a tightening assembly for tightening a strap, wherein the one-way clamp is pivotally attached to the frame and includes a strap engagement portion, the strap engagement portion allows the strap to pass through the one-way clamp in only one direction, the tightening assembly includes a strap shaft and an operating handle, is installed on one side of the one-way clamp and pivotally attached to the frame, the strap shaft includes an opening, the strap shaft is connected to the operating handle, the operating handle can swing back and forth with the frame as a pivot point and rotate the strap shaft.

[0007] The strap fastening device according to claim 2 is characterized in that the frame includes a fixing rod used to fix the fixed end of the strap.

[0008] The strap fastening device according to claim 3 is characterized in that the frame includes a first set of shaft holes and a second set of shaft holes, the one-way clamp is pivotally mounted in the first set of shaft holes, and the strap shaft of the fastening assembly is pivotally mounted in the second set of shaft holes.

[0009] The strap tightening device according to claim 4 is characterized in that the operating handle of the tightening assembly includes an operating plate and two side arms, the two side arms extending from both sides of the operating plate and connected to both ends of the strap shaft, respectively.

[0010] The strap tightening device according to claim 5 is characterized in that the operating handle and the strap shaft are connected to each other by a fitting method, and the swinging of the operating handle rotates the strap shaft.

[0011] The strap tightening device according to claim 6 is characterized in that the state of the operating handle of the tightening assembly includes a closed state and an open state, and when in the closed state, the operating handle is housed on the frame.

[0012] The strap tightening device according to claim 7 is characterized in that the length of the operating handle of the tightening assembly is greater than the length of the one-way clamp.

[0013] The strap fastening device according to claim 8 is characterized in that the one-way clamp includes a pivot and a spring, the pivot is pivotally mounted to a first set of shaft holes, and the spring provides elasticity to maintain the one-way clamp in a closed state.

[0014] The strap fastening device according to claim 9 is characterized in that the strap engagement portion includes ratchet teeth, the frame includes a strap guide, and when in a closed state, the ratchet teeth engage with the strap guide.

[0015] The strap tightening device according to claim 10 is characterized in that the one-way clamp includes a cam buckle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The strap tightening device according to this invention can be used as a tourniquet by tightly tightening the strap around an object being restrained. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1]It is a perspective view showing a strap tightening device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing the opened state of a strap tightening device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view showing the closed state of a strap tightening device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is an exploded perspective view showing a strap tightening device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5A] It is an explanatory view of a state where a strap is attached to a strap tightening device according to an embodiment of the present invention and has not yet been tightened. [Figure 5B] It is an explanatory view of a state where a strap is attached to a strap tightening device according to an embodiment of the present invention and the length is being adjusted. [Figure 5C] It is an explanatory view of a state where a strap is tightened by a tightening assembly of a strap tightening device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a strap tightening device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a strap tightening device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a frame 10, a one-way clamp 20 provided on the frame 10, and a tightening assembly 30. The strap tightening device 1 of the present embodiment is applied to tightening a strap 40 such as a tourniquet. As shown in FIG. 1, one end of the strap 40 is fixed to one side of the frame 10, and the other movable end of the strap 40 can be sequentially inserted through the one-way clamp 20 and the tightening assembly 30. The one-way clamp 20 is mainly used to adjust the main length when the strap 40 is wound around the object to be restrained (for example, the arm). The tightening assembly 30 allows the user to apply force to the movable end of the strap 40 based on the principle of a lever, and can lengthen the strap 40 pulled out from the one-way clamp 20. Thereby, the strap 40 can be tightened around the object to be restrained.

[0019] Refer to FIGS. 2 to 4. Hereinafter, based on FIGS. 2 to 4, the detailed structure of the strap tightening device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the strap tightening device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention in an open state. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the strap tightening device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention in a closed state. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the strap tightening device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the one-way clamp 20 and the tightening assembly 30 are respectively connected to the frame 10 by a pivoting method. The frame 10 includes a fixed rod 11 and two long frame plates 12. The two long frame plates 12 are arranged parallel to each other. The fixed rod 11 connects the two long frame plates 12 on the left and right sides to each other. The frame 10 includes a first set of shaft holes 13 and a second set of shaft holes 14. The first set of shaft holes 13 includes two shaft holes and is respectively provided in the middle region of the two long frame plates 12. The second set of shaft holes 14 includes two shaft holes and is respectively formed at the front ends of the two long frame plates 12. The first set of shaft holes 13 is used to pivot the one-way clamp 20. The second set of shaft holes 14 is used to pivot the tightening assembly 30. The fixed rod 11 is used to fix one end of the strap 40 (hereinafter referred to as the fixed end 41).

[0021] The one-way clamp 20 includes a strap engagement portion 21, a pivot 24, and a spring 25. Frame 10 includes a strap guide 15. The one-way clamp 20 is connected to the first set of axial holes 13 of the frame 10 via a pivot 24. In this embodiment, the strap engagement portion 21 of the one-way clamp 20 is pivotally attached to the first set of shaft holes 13 of the frame 10 by inserting the pivot 24 through it. The pivot 24 is also inserted through the spring 25, causing the strap engagement portion 21 to contact the frame 10 and providing elasticity to maintain the strap engagement portion 21 in a closed state. For example, the two legs of the spring 25 are in contact with the inside of the one-way clamp 20 and the side wall of the frame 10, respectively. When the user applies an external force to the one-way clamp 20, the spring 25 is compressed and deformed, and the strap engagement portion 21 switches to an open state. When the user stops pressing the one-way clamp 20, the strap engagement portion 21 switches to a closed state due to the elastic recovery force of the spring 25. More specifically, when the one-way clamp 20 is open, the user can adjust the usable length of the strap 40 by inserting the movable end 42 of the strap 40 through the strap engagement portion 21 and the strap guide 15 from bottom to top, and then pulling it outwards. As shown in Figure 3, the strap engagement portion 21 further includes ratchet teeth 22. When the one-way clamp 20 is in the open position, an opening is formed between the ratchet teeth 22 of the strap engagement portion 21 and the strap guide 15. When the one-way clamp 20 is closed, the ratchet teeth 22 of the strap engagement portion 21 contact the strap guide 15 and engage with the strap 40, allowing the strap 40 to pass through the one-way clamp 20 in only one direction.

[0022] In this embodiment, the ratchet teeth 22 have an inclined direction, and even when the one-way clamp 20 is closed, the strap 40 can move in one direction when pulled by an external force. However, when an opposing force is applied, the ratchet teeth 22 and the surface of the strap 40 engage with each other, and the strap 40 is fixed on the strap guide 15, making it difficult for the strap 40 to be displaced in the opposite direction by an externally applied force. For example, the one-way clamp 20 of this embodiment includes a cam buckle. In this embodiment, the strap guide 15 is a rectangular prism-shaped rod, but in other embodiments, the strap guide 15 may be a cylindrical rod. Furthermore, the surface of the strap guide 15 may include a toothed surface for engaging with the strap 40.

[0023] Refer again to Figures 2 to 4. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the fastening assembly 30 includes a strap shaft 31 and an operating handle 32. The strap shaft 31 is pivotally attached to the frame 10. Both ends of the strap shaft 31 are pivotally attached to the second set of shaft holes 14 of the frame 10. In other words, the strap axis 31 can rotate relative to the frame 10. The operating handles 32 are connected to both ends of the strap shaft 31. The strap axis 31 includes an opening 311. The opening 311 is formed on the strap shaft 31 along the longitudinal axis of the strap shaft 31. The strap 40 can be inserted through the opening 311 of the strap shaft 31 from one side of the strap shaft 31 and then pulled out from the other side of the strap shaft 31. As shown in Figure 4, both ends of the strap shaft 31 are connected to the operating handle 32 by a shape-matching method. In other words, since both ends of the strap shaft 31 are fitted into the operating handle 32, the operating handle 32 can rotate the strap shaft 31. In this embodiment, both ends of the strap shaft 31 are connected by fitting them onto the operating handle 32. However, in other embodiments, both ends of the strap shaft 31 may be directly fixed to the operating handle 32, for example, by welding.

[0024] In this embodiment, the operating handle 32 includes an operating plate 321 and two side arms 322. The two side arms 322 are positioned parallel to each other on the left and right sides, and are connected to both sides of the control panel 321. The operating handle 32 includes a one-piece molded structure, and the two side arms 322 extend from both sides of the operating plate 321. The front ends of the two side arms 322 each include one fitting hole 323. The shapes of these two fitting holes 323 substantially coincide with the cross-sectional shapes of both ends of the strap shaft 31. This allows the strap shaft 31 to fit into the two side arms 322 of the operating handle 32. By connecting to the strap shaft 31, the operating handle 32 is also pivotally attached to the frame 10. Therefore, the operating handle 32 can swing back and forth with the frame 10 as a pivot point, and the operating handle 32 can be in an open state and a closed state. As shown in Figure 3, when the operating handle 32 is in the closed position, the operating handle 32 can be housed on the frame 10, minimizing the volume of the strap tightening device 1. When the operating handle 32 is swung back and forth relative to the frame 10 by an external force, the strap shaft 31 also rotates in conjunction with it.

[0025] In this embodiment, the frame 10, the one-way clamp 20, and the fastening assembly 30 are made of metal or plastic. For example, the materials of the frame 10, the one-way clamp 20, and the fastening assembly 30 include stainless steel, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy. The materials for the frame 10, the one-way clamp 20, and the fastening assembly 30 may include high-hardness plastic.

[0026] The following will refer to Figures 5A to 5C. Based on Figures 5A to 5C, a method of using the strap 40 to the strap fastening device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 5A is an explanatory diagram showing a strap 40 attached to a strap fastening device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, but before it has been fastened. Figure 5B is an explanatory diagram showing a strap 40 attached to a strap fastening device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the state in which the length is being adjusted. Figure 5C is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the strap 40 is tightened by the tightening assembly 30 of the strap tightening device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 5A, when actually using the strap, the fixed end 41 of the strap 40 is fixed to the fixing rod 11 of the frame 10, and the user sequentially inserts the other movable end 42 of the strap 40 into the opening between the strap engagement portion 21 of the one-way clamp 20 and the strap guide 15, then inserts the movable end 42 of the strap 40 onto the strap shaft 31 of the clamping assembly 30, and then pulls the strap 40 out from below the frame 10.

[0027] For example, by applying an external force to the one-way clamp 20, such as by pressing on the one-way clamp 20, the movable end 42 of the strap 40 can be easily pulled out from below the frame 10 and adjusted to the desired length (usable length). For example, by wrapping the strap 40, to which the strap tightening device 1 of this embodiment is attached, around the injured person's arm, and then pulling out the movable end 42 of the strap 40 from the other end of the strap tightening device 1, the usable length of the strap 40 can be adjusted to fit the injured person's arm circumference. Figure 5B shows the state in which the excess length of the strap 40 is pulled out from the other end of the strap tightening device 1.

[0028] Next, the user pulls the operating handle 32 of the tightening assembly 30 away from the frame 10, and swings the operating handle 32 forward of the frame 10, using the second set of axial holes 14 of the frame 10 as a pivot point. When the operating handle 32 is swung, the strap shaft 31 rotates, and the strap shaft 31 winds up the strap 40, so that the strap 40 is pulled further outward from the strap engagement portion 21 of the one-way clamp 20. In this way, by operating the operating handle 32 of the strap tightening device 1, the usable length of the strap 40 can be further shortened.

[0029] Compared to conventional tourniquets that use only one cam buckle, the strap tightening device 1 according to this invention includes an operating handle 32 in its tightening assembly 30, allowing the user to utilize the principle of leverage to increase the tensile force that the operating handle 32 applies to the strap, making it easier to tighten the strap. For example, when providing first aid to an injured person, it is necessary to tighten a tourniquet very tightly around the injured person's limbs in order to stop the bleeding. With conventional methods using cam buckles, it was not easy for the user to further tighten the tourniquet by hand after adjusting its length using the cam buckle. In contrast, the strap tightening device 1 of the present invention includes a tightening assembly 30, and the operating handle 32 of the tightening assembly 30 has a predetermined operating handle length L1. For example, this predetermined operating handle length L1 is greater than the length L2 of the one-way clamp of the one-way clamp 20, or greater than the length L3 of the frame. The operating handle 32 rotates around the second set of shaft holes 14 in the frame 10 as a pivot point. When the user applies an external force (F) to the operating plate 321 of the operating handle 32, a torque of F × L1 is generated on the strap shaft 31. This torque causes the strap shaft 31 to rotate, displacing the strap 40 inserted through the strap shaft 31. In other words, this torque causes the strap 40 to be pulled further outward from the strap engagement portion 21 of the one-way clamp 20, so that the strap 40 can be tightly fastened to the restrained object (for example, the limbs of an injured person). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0030] 1. Strap tightening device 10 frames 11 Fixed rod 12 Long frame board 13. First set of shaft holes 14. Second set of shaft holes 15 Strap Guide 20 One-way clamps 21 Strap engagement part 22 ratchet teeth 24 Axis 25 springs 30 Tightening Assembly 31 Strap axis 32 Operating handles 40 straps 41 Fixed end 42 Movable end 311 Aperture 321 Operation board 322 Sidearm 323 Fitting hole L1 Operating handle length L2 One-Way Clamp Length L3 Frame Length

Claims

1. A strap fastening device comprising a frame, a one-way clamp, and a fastening assembly for fastening a strap, The one-way clamp is pivotally attached to the frame and includes a strap engagement portion, the strap engagement portion allowing the strap to pass through the one-way clamp in only one direction. The strap tightening device is characterized in that the tightening assembly includes a strap shaft and an operating handle, is installed on one side of the one-way clamp and pivotally attached to the frame, the strap shaft includes an opening, the strap shaft is connected to the operating handle, the operating handle can swing back and forth with the frame as a pivot point and rotate the strap shaft.

2. The strap fastening device according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame includes a fixing rod used to fix the fixed end of the strap.

3. The frame includes a first set of shaft holes and a second set of shaft holes, The one-way clamp is pivotally attached to the first set of shaft holes, The strap fastening device according to claim 1, characterized in that the strap shaft of the fastening assembly is pivotally attached to the second set of shaft holes.

4. The operating handle of the clamping assembly includes an operating plate and two side arms. The strap tightening device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two side arms extend from both sides of the operating plate and are connected to both ends of the strap shaft, respectively.

5. The strap tightening device according to claim 4, characterized in that the operating handle and the strap shaft are connected to each other by a fitting method, and the swinging of the operating handle rotates the strap shaft.

6. The state of the operating handle of the clamping assembly includes a closed state and an open state. The strap tightening device according to claim 1, characterized in that when in the closed position, the operating handle is housed on the frame.

7. The strap tightening device according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of the operating handle of the tightening assembly is greater than the length of the one-way clamp.

8. The one-way clamp includes a pivot and a spring, The pivot is pivotally attached to the first set of shaft holes, The strap tightening device according to claim 3, characterized in that the spring provides elasticity to maintain the one-way clamp in a closed state.

9. The aforementioned strap engagement portion includes ratchet teeth, The strap fastening device according to claim 8, wherein the frame includes a strap guide, and when in a closed state, the ratchet teeth engage with the strap guide.

10. The strap fastening device according to claim 1, characterized in that the one-way clamp includes a cam buckle.

Images