Modular stretcher or litter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current equipment and device mounting systems for stretchers and litters lack standardization, leading to inefficiencies in configuration and relocation, often requiring specialized tools and being incompatible across different manufacturers, especially when dealing with mobile structures.
Innovation Solution
A universal, modular mounting system featuring a securement track with alternating open and necked-down regions allows for secure and repositionable mounting of devices and equipment, enabling quick configuration and relocation without specialized tools, and ensuring compatibility across different manufacturers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional mounting systems are used, then equipment can be securely mounted, but relocation and reconfiguration require specialized tools and are time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into modular components: a standardized track mounted on the stretcher frame, and separate mounting brackets for different equipment. This segmentation allows equipment to be independently removed and repositioned along the track without affecting other mounted items, enabling quick reconfiguration with simple manual operations instead of specialized tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The track serves multiple functions: it provides secure mounting for various equipment types, enables easy relocation along its length, and accommodates different mounting configurations. The standardized track design is universal across different stretcher models, allowing the same mounting hardware to be used on various platforms without customization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manufacturer-specific mounting locations are used, then equipment can be mounted securely, but adaptability to different equipment and manufacturers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The track establishes a universal mounting interface that works with equipment from different manufacturers. Instead of requiring custom mounting solutions for each manufacturer's equipment, the standardized track accepts various mounting brackets that can accommodate different device types, thereby improving cross-manufacturer compatibility while maintaining secure mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The track acts as an intermediary between the stretcher frame and various equipment mounting brackets. This intermediate standardized interface decouples the equipment-specific mounting requirements from the stretcher structure, allowing different equipment to be mounted using the same track infrastructure without increasing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If multiple specialized mounting hardware are used for different equipment, then each piece can be securely mounted, but the amount of hardware and time required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The track provides a universal mounting interface that replaces multiple specialized hardware solutions. Different equipment types use compatible mounting brackets that attach to the same track, reducing the variety of hardware needed. This maintains secure mounting through the standardized track-bracket interface while significantly reducing the total amount and diversity of mounting hardware required.
Data Source
AI summary
A stretcher which comprises a bed, and a frame having first and second parallel frame members coupled to first and second lateral frame members is disclosed. A securement track is define by an upper surface of at least one of the first parallel frame member, the second parallel frame member, the first lateral frame member, and the second lateral frame member, the securement track having a plurality of alternating open regions and necked down regions along a length. A bed mount configured to both support the bed and be releasably secured in the securement track in a secure condition, and configured to be repositionable along the length of the securement track in an unsecured condition.