US2305981A

US2305981A - Litter leg and saddle construction

Info

Publication number: US2305981A
Application number: US414893A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mollenhour Delbert Clark
Original assignee: ZIMMER THOMSON CORP
Current assignee: ZIMMER THOMSON CORP; ZIMMER-THOMSON Corp
Priority date: 1941-10-13
Filing date: 1941-10-13
Publication date: 1942-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 1959-12-22

Description

Dec; 22, 1942. c MOLLENHQUR 2,305,981

LITTER LEG AND SADDLBCONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 13, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 any;

DeZr 67%ZZ /z/z0ar Dec. 22, 1942.

D. c. MOLLENHOUR 2,305,981

LITTER LEG AND SADDLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 13, 1941 T 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 22, 1942 2,305,981 LITTER LEG AND SADDLE CONSTRUCTION Delbert Clark Mollenhour, Long Island, N. Y., as-

signor to Zimmer-Thomson Corporation, Long Island, N. Y.

Application October 13, 1941, .Serial No. 414,893

11 Claims. (Cl. -82) This invention relates to folding litters such as are used for transportation of injured persons and has special reference to a pole saddle and leg for litters of this class.

One important object of the invention is to provide a novel form of leg for such purpose wherein the leg, while constructed of light and thin sheet metal, will be highly resistant to deformation.

A second object which is also important is to provide a novel construction of leg and pole saddle wherein the connection between the leg and pole saddle will be of such character as to aid in the prevention of deformation of such a leg.

A third important object of the invention is to provide a novel two-part pole saddle wherein the parts are assembled by a simple sliding movement.

A fourth important object of the invention is to provide such a two-part saddle having a sheet sists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and particularly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and:

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view showing one end portion of a litter having legs and pole saddles constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the end shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the legs and saddles removed from the litter pole.

Figure 5 is an end view of the leg, and saddle as attached to a pole.

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a section on the line l''l' of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary section on the line 8--8 of Figure 7 and showing the manner of mounting a leg brace and stop used herein.

Figure 9 is a detail view partly in plan and partly in section and showing the manner in which the stop members serve to prevent lateral swinging of the stretcher bars when the litter is closed.

Figure 10 is an isometric view showing the two parts of a saddle in partially assembled relation.

In the embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed the improved legs and saddles have been shown in connection with a stretcher provided with the usual pair of poles in carrying a canvas or other body supporting sheet or web II and provided with handles l2. At opposite points on the poles each pole carries pole saddles indicated in general at l3 and these saddles support legs indicated in general at M.

Each pole saddle includes a lower and leg carrying member consisting of a length ofextruded, roller or stamped metal having a flat base portion I5 of elongated rectangular form and a pair of flanges l6 rising from the side edges of the base l6. These flanges converge upwardly so as to overhang the side portions of the base. The upper member of each saddle consists of similarly formed metal having a transversely arcuate central portion ll of elongated rectangular form in plan and having downwardly extending and diverging side flanges l8 fitting snugly between the flanges iii of the lower portion. Thus the upper and lower portions slidably fit eachother. These two members are of the same length and in the lower member is a bolt receiving opening I9 which, when the members are fully assembled registers with a similar opening 2|] in the upper member so that a bolt 2| passing through these openings will hold them against relative sliding movement.

Each leg body is preferably formed from an elongated strip of thin sheet metal here shown as of the same width as the saddle. This strip is stamped and bent or otherwise formed to provide a fiat top portion 22 extending in parallel spaced relation below the lower saddle part. At one end this top is bent upwardly at right angles to form a strut 23 the terminal edge of which engages against the saddle bottom l5. At its other end the top is curved downwardly as at24 and merges at its lower end into a substantially vertical upper side portion 25. The other end of the strip from which the leg is formed has a flat portion 26 which extends from the end of the bottom IE to the strut 23 and then extends downwardly to form a vertical upper side portion 21 of the leg. The portion 26 is spot welded to the bottom i and the strut 23 is spot welded to the top part of the portion 21 thus firmly securing both extremities of the leg strip to the lower saddle member. The leg forming strip, below the

portions

25 and 27 flares outwardly as at 28 and 29 and then curves downwardly and inwardly as at 30 and 3! to merge into the bottom 32. At each side of the leg strip there is provided an outwardly struck arcuate bead 33 which extends along the

parts

28, 35, 32, (H and 29 and fades at its ends into the

flat portions

25 and 21. These beads not only stiflen the leg but also aid in preventing lateral skidding of the litter when H in use.

Within the upper part of each leg there is provided a brace member having a flat top 34 which is spot welded to the under side of the leg top 22. This top 3% is located so that one end lies closer to the portion 25 of the leg than does the other end in relation to the portion 21. The metal of the brace extends diagonally downward in tapering

portions

35 and 36 to engage the inner faces of the leg sides and is there provided with downwardly extending tabs 3! and 38 which are securely spot welded to the leg sides as will be seen in Figure 4 the portion 35 is more nearly vertical than the portion 36. By reason of this construction the rounded part 24 is very firmly braced against distortion. The opposite end of the leg, engaging against the saddle, does not require such rigid bracing and thus a proper distribution of the bracing effects is obtained with a thin plate through its particular location. The bolt 2! extends through suitable openings in the parts 22 and 3d and on the lower threaded end of this bolt is a nut 38w. Thus the bolt 21 forms means for securing the saddle and leg to the bolt. On the bolt 2! between the saddle and leg top 22 is fitted a thimble 38 to prevent the leg top being bent upwardly when the nut is screwed tightly against the brace top 34. The thimbles of the several legs serve as pivot members for the outer ends of stretcher bar sections 49. Each of these sections is U-shaped in cross-section and is provided with a widened end All wherein fits the thimble 35. One section has a widened end 42 received between the flanges of a widened end 43 of the other member, said flanges being spread to receive the end 212 between them. A pivot 44 connects the

ends

42 and 43. The vertical dimension of each end i! is slightly less than the corresponding dimension of the thimble 39 so that these ends 4! cannot be clamped between the parts l5 and 22.

At 45 is a combined stop and spacer member of cylindrical form, This member is provided with trunnions 35 which fit respectively in a hole 41 in the part l5 and in a hole 48 in the part 22. This is of the same length as the thimble 39 and is located adjacent the curved portion 24 of the leg. It thus resists distortion which might be effected by an upward blow on the leg at the side beneath the portion 25. Also the location of the stop is such that, when the stretcher is opened or spread, the bar section 411 will have its end engaged against the stop as shown in Figure 7 but when the stretcher is closed the stop will be engaged by the member 40 at a point between its pivots 39 and M as in Figure 9. I It will be seen in this figure that with the parts in the position shown the pivot 44 can swing neither to one side nor the other so that the sections 40 must be held to extend longitudinally of the rods I6 and cannot project to one side of these rods or poles when they are in the position they assume upon closing of the litter.

With the construction thus described there has been provided a leg and saddle structure which, while amply strong for the most severe service, is light in weight, is easily assembled and is free from distortion under all practical conditions of use. It will also be plain that due to the action of the stops 45 a number of these litters may be closely packed without the stretcher bars interfering with such packing by angling off to one side.

What is claimed, is:

1. In a litter, a combined leg and saddle formed of strap metal and including a lower saddle memher, a leg member having a topportion spaced below the saddle member to form an opening for the reception of a stretcher bar end, said leg having an upstanding portion at one end of the top portion, said upstanding portion being permanently fixed to the saddle member adjacent one end said top portion being free from the other end of the saddle, and a combined stop and spacer held in the opening at the remaining end of said top portion and adjacent one side edge thereof.

2. In a litter, a combined leg and saddle formed of strap metal and including a lower saddle member, a leg member having a top portion spaced below the saddle member to form an opening for the reception of a stretcher bar end, said leg having an upstanding portion at one end of the top portion, said upstanding portion being permanently fixed to the saddle member adjacent one end, said leg having side portions extend-- ing downwardly from the ends of said top, a combined stop and spacer held in the opening remote from the upstanding portion, said top 7 portion being free from the other end of the saddle, a combined stop and spacer held in the opening at the remaining end of the top portion and adjacent one side edge thereof, and a diagonal brace extending from said top to the side portion adjacent the stop member and fixed to said top and the side portion.

3. In a litter, a combined leg and saddle formed of strap metal and including a lower saddle member, a leg member having a top portion spaced below the saddle member to form an opening for the reception of a stretcher bar end, said leg having an upstanding portion at one end of the top portion, said upstanding portion being permanently fixed to the saddle member adjacent one end, said leg having side portions extending downwardly from the ends of said top portion and flaring outwardly and then inwardly to merge into a leg bottom, said sides and bottom having outwardly projecting ribs at the edges thereof, a stop member between the saddle and top portion at the end opposite the upstanding portion and adjacent one side edge thereof, and a diagonal brace extending from said top .to the side portion adjacent the stop member and fixed to said leg and side portion.

4. In a litter, a pole saddle, a leg having a top portion in parallel spaced relation to the under side of the saddle, said top portion having an upstanding portion at one end fixed to the saddle, a pivot bolt extending vertically through the saddle and said top portion, a stretcher bar having an end portion extending into the space between the top portion and said saddle and pivoted on the bolt, the bolt passing through said end portion at a point spaced from the extremity of the bar, and a combined spacer and stop fixed between the saddle and said top portion and positioned for engagement by the said bar in positions of the leg both laterally and longitudinally of the litter, said stop being located at the end of said top portion remote from the upstanding portion.

5. A litter leg formed from a single strip of thin sheet metal and provided at one end with a flat top portion having an upstanding strut at one end and having its remaining end curved downward, the remaining end of the strip having a vertical flat portion resting against the strut and permanently fixed thereto, said curved portion merging into a vertical side portion, the vertical portions merging at their lower ends into outwardly flared side portions and the outwardly flared portions merging into inwardly curved side portions merging into a leg bottom, the bottom and the side portions being provided at their edges with outwardly projecting flanges arcuate in cross-section.

6. In a litter, a sheet metal pole saddle, including a bottom member having flanges extending upwardly and inwardly from its edges, and a top member having a body arcuate in cross-section and provided with flanges extending downwardly and outwardly from its side edges, the last mentioned flanges fitting between the first mentioned flanges, said upper member slidably fitting in the lower member.

7. In a litter, a sheet metal pole saddle, including a bottom member having flanges extending upwardly and inwardly from its edges, a top member having a body arcuate in cross-section and provided with flanges extending downwardly and outwardly from its side edges, the last mentioned flanges fitting between the first mentioned flanges, said upper member slidably fitting in the lower member, said members each having a centrally disposed bolt opening with the bolt openings in registry upon the members being assembled, and a bolt passing through said v,

tion and provided with flanges extending downwardly and outwardly from its side edges, the last mentioned flanges fitting between the first mentioned flanges, said upper member slidably fitting in the lower member, and a leg member fixed to said bottom member.

9. In a litter, a sheet. metal pole saddle, including a bottom member having flanges extending upwardly and inwardly from its edges, a top member having a body arcuate in cross-section and provided with flanges extending downwardly and outwardly from its side edges, the last mentioned flanges fitting between the first mentioned flanges, said upper member slidably fitting in the lower member, said members each having a centrally disposed bolt opening with the bolt openings in registry upon the members being assembled, a bolt passing through said holes and holding said members from relative movement, and a leg member fixed to said bottom member.

10. In a litter, a sheet metal pole saddle, in cluding a bottom member having flanges extending upwardly and inwardly from its edges, a top member having a body arcuate in cross-section and provided with flanges extending downwardly and outwardly from its side edges, the last mentioned flanges fitting between the first mentioned flanges, said upper member slidably fitting in the lower member, a leg member having one side portion fixed to the bottom member of the saddle adjacent one end thereof, the remainder of the leg being spaced from the saddle, and a spacer between the other side of the leg and the saddle.

11. In a litter, a sheet metal pole saddle, including a bottom member having flanges extending upwardly and inwardly from its edges, a top member having a body arcuate in cross-section and provided with flanges extending downwardly and outwardly from its side edges, the last mentioned flanges fitting between the first mentioned flanges, said upper member slidably fitting in the lower member, said members each having a centrally disposed bolt openings with the bolt openings in registry upon the members being assembled, a bolt passing through said holes and holding said members from relative movement, a leg member having one side portion fixed to the bottom member of the saddle adjacent one end thereolf, the remainder of the leg being spaced from the saddle, and a spacer between the other side of the leg and the saddle.

DELBERT CLARK MOLLENHOUR.