Variable-Angle Rail Adapter for Flexible Rescue Litter Tethering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rescue litter systems lack flexibility in attaching tethers and carabiners, as conventional methods often result in carabiners sliding or being lodged in inappropriate positions, limiting the ability to adjust angles and locations for effective rescue operations.

Innovation Solution

A variable angle rail adapter that can be pivoted and mounted on rescue litters, providing multiple attachment points and angles for carabiners and tethers, allowing for flexible positioning and distribution of weight during lifting and towing operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional carabiners are attached to fixed eyelets or brackets on the litter framework, then the attachment location is fixed and stable, but the flexibility to adjust angles and locations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidadjustability of attachment location and angle

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing fixed eyelets with a movable carabiner system that can slide along the top rail. The carabiner is retained in position by notches or gaps in the rail, allowing it to be dynamically repositioned to different locations and angles while maintaining stable attachment when engaged. This enables the system to adapt to various rescue scenarios while ensuring reliable connection points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If carabiners are allowed to slide freely on the rail, then flexibility in positioning is improved, but the carabiners may become lodged in wrong places or move during lifting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in carabiner positioningVSAvoidcarabiner position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning notches or gaps at specific intervals along the top rail. These notches serve as predetermined safe stopping points for the carabiner, ensuring that when the carabiner slides along the rail, it naturally settles into predetermined secure positions rather than random locations. This preliminary structuring of the rail with notches prevents the carabiner from becoming lodged in inappropriate places while maintaining sliding flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If fixed eyelets are used on the litter framework, then the structure is simple, but the configurability of tethering devices is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of attachment structureVSAvoidconfigurability of carabiner and tether system

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the top rail to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a structural support element and a positioning track for the carabiner. The rail incorporates notches that provide predetermined attachment points, while also allowing the carabiner to slide to different locations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate fixed eyelets while enhancing the configurability of the tethering system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7926132B2Rescue litter attachment system

Publication Date: 2011.04.19 HARKEN INC

AI summary

This invention discloses a rescue stretcher or rescue litter and which includes a variable angle rail adapter with an adapter body with rail apertures configured for rotatable mounting around a stretcher rail and an attachment aperture transverse to the rail aperture configured to transversely receive attachment components therein.