US2302453A - Ambulance stretcher - Google Patents

Description

NOV- 17, 19421 F. w. MARTIN AMBULANCE STRETCHER `Nov. '17, 1942.

F. W. MARTIN AMBULANCE STRETCHER Filed July 31, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .f @ma 7M ,n y f Z l i PI M4 `..m I m NH m E J W7 Patented Nov. 17, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application July 31, 1940, Serial No. 348,915 In Great Britain August 15, 1939 1 Claim.

This invention relates to ambulance stretchers fof the kind comprising a metal frame and a canvas or like covering. The object of the invention is to provide an improved construction which enables the canvas portion to be easily removed and replaced.

In the accompanying sheets of explanatory drawings:

Figures 1 and 2 are respectively an elevation and an inverted plan of an ambulance stretcher embodying the invention, the stretcher being shown in its extended condition.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the stretcher in its folded condition.

Figure 4 is a sectional end elevation taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 1 and drawn to a larger scale than the latter figure.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional plan taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a similar view to Figure 4 with the canvas or like portion and locking means omitted.

Figure 7 is a similar view to Figure 4 taken on the line 'I--l of Figure 1.

In carrying the invention into elect as shown, I construct the stretcher frame from a pair of tubular side members Ila and a pair of foldable cross members b. Each of the cross members b may conveniently consist, as shown, of a pair of parts which at one pair of adjacent ends are pivoted together, and Which at their' other ends are pivoted to the two side members a respectively, one of the said parts being formed with an extension c which can abut against and embrace the other part when the stretcher is in its extended condition. Preferably each side member a is provided on its underside with a pair of U-shaped or other feet cl.

Each side member a is formed along its outer side with a longitudinal channel e, the lateral opening of which is narrower than the interior of the channel. For this purpose in the example shown each side member a is shaped to a form which in eiiect is the equivalent of a pair of tubes of different diameters arranged one within the other and each having a longitudinal slot at one side of less width than the diameter of the inner tube, the two tubes being integrally united with each other along the edges of the slots.

The canvas or like cover f is formed along each longitudinal edge with a hem g, and into this hem is inserted a tubular or solid locking rod h, the hems and rods being such that they can be inserted endwise into the channels e in the side members a of the frame, and the diameter of the rods being such that they cannot pass laterally through the side openings of the channels.

On the ends of the side members a are removably mounted rubber or like tubular handles i formed internally With longitudinal keys as y' for engaging the openings of the channels e in the side members, the inner ends of the keys serving by contact with the outer ends of the locking rods h to prevent endwise movement of these rods relatively to the said side members.

By this invention an easily detachable and attachable connection between the cover and frame is effected in a very simple and convenient manner.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

An ambulance stretcher comprising in combination a frame having a pair of side members each of which is composed of a pair of integral tubular metal parts of different diameters arranged one within the other and provided at one side with a longitudinal slot of less Width than the diameter of the inner tubular part, the two tubular parts being united along the edges of the slots, a cover having a pair of longitudinal hems each containing a locking rod, the hems and rods being insertable endwise into the inner tubular parts but being unable to pass laterally through the slots in the side members, and tubular handles removably mounted on the ends of the side members, the handles being provided with internal keys which engage the slots in the side members and serve to prevent endwise movements of the locking rods contained in the hems of the cover.

FREDRICK WILLIAM MARTIN.

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