US4397432A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable litter support assembly
Assignee: Boeing Co
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Filing: 1981-06-02
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Granted: 1983-08-09
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Expires: 2001-06-02
Abstract
Abstract An adjustable litter support assembly includes fittings on each stanchion to engage conventional hold-down fixtures on the floor of an aircraft. The stanchions are further supported by interconnectable connecting links carried near the top of each stanchion. Connecting straps also extend from near the top of each stanchion to a floor fitting near the bottom of the other stanchion of each pair. Litter support arms are adjustably connected to each stanchion and carry locking straps for detachably holding a litter thereon.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael C. Resetar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:26
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D11/00; A; A61; A61G; A61G2220/00; A61G2220/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
327 words
An adjustable litter support assembly for use in supporting medical litters onboard cargo aircraft or the like, and comprising: a pair of spaced support stand assemblies, each support stand assembly including a base portion resting on a floor of a cargo aircraft or the like and each support stand assembly further including an upright portion extending from said base portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to said floor; each upright portion including a plurality of pairs of aligned attachment members vertically spaced from one another and extending outwardly from oppositely disposed sides of each upright portion, each upright portion further including a connecting link pivotally attached near the top thereof with at least one of said connecting links including means for detachably engaging the other connecting link to rigidly connect said upright portions against independent movement, and at least one connecting strap extending from near the top of each upright portion and engaging a fixture mounted in said aircraft floor near the base of the other upright portion; at least one support arm extending outwardly from each upright portion for supporting a medical litter extending between and resting on each support arm; said support arms each including locking means detachably clamping end portions of said medical litter against movement relative to said support arms and engagement means for detachably engaging two of said pairs of vertically spaced attachment members, said engagement means comprising a pair of flanges extending outwardly from an inboard end portion of each support arm, each said pair of flanges including hook-shaped end portions partially encircling a first pair of said pairs of aligned attachment members, and said engagement means further comprising a pair of spaced arms each attached to an inboard locking strap, said arms include hook-shaped end portions partially encircling a second pair of aligned attachment members spaced substantially vertically above said first pair, whereby said support arms are firmly maintained in an outwardly extended position relative to their respective upright portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
327 words
An adjustable litter support assembly for use in supporting medical litters onboard cargo aircraft or the like, and comprising: a pair of spaced support stand assemblies, each support stand assembly including a base portion resting on a floor of a cargo aircraft or the like and each support stand assembly further including an upright portion extending from said base portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to said floor; each upright portion including a plurality of pairs of aligned attachment members vertically spaced from one another and extending outwardly from oppositely disposed sides of each upright portion, each upright portion further including a connecting link pivotally attached near the top thereof with at least one of said connecting links including means for detachably engaging the other connecting link to rigidly connect said upright portions against independent movement, and at least one connecting strap extending from near the top of each upright portion and engaging a fixture mounted in said aircraft floor near the base of the other upright portion; at least one support arm extending outwardly from each upright portion for supporting a medical litter extending between and resting on each support arm; said support arms each including locking means detachably clamping end portions of said medical litter against movement relative to said support arms and engagement means for detachably engaging two of said pairs of vertically spaced attachment members, said engagement means comprising a pair of flanges extending outwardly from an inboard end portion of each support arm, each said pair of flanges including hook-shaped end portions partially encircling a first pair of said pairs of aligned attachment members, and said engagement means further comprising a pair of spaced arms each attached to an inboard locking strap, said arms include hook-shaped end portions partially encircling a second pair of aligned attachment members spaced substantially vertically above said first pair, whereby said support arms are firmly maintained in an outwardly extended position relative to their respective upright portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A litter support assembly according to claim 1, wherein said means for detachably engaging comprises a channel-shaped bracket extending from said at least one connecting link when said links are disposed end-to-end, said means for detachably engaging further comprises a locking pin extending through aligned apertures in said channel-shaped bracket and said remaining connecting link and preventing said links from pivoting relative to one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
A litter support assembly according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of first pairs of said vertically spaced support arms extend outwardly from each upright portion, with one support arm of each first pair extending from one of said upright portions and being horizontally aligned with the other support arm of said first pair extending from the other said remaining upright portion, each of said first pairs being capable of supporting a separate litter extending therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
A litter support assembly according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of second pairs of said vertically spaced support arms extend outwardly from each upright portion in a direction opposite to said first plurality of vertically spaced support arms, with one support arm of each second pair extending from one of said upright portions and being horizontally aligned with the other support arm of said second pair extending from a remaining upright portion, each of said second pairs capable of supporting a separate litter extending therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
A litter support assembly according to claim 1, wherein each pair of aligned attachment members includes a first attachment member extending outwardly from a side of said upright portion which extends parallel to said support arms, and each pair of attachment members further includes a second attachment member extending outwardly from an oppositely disposed side of said upright portion which also extends parallel to said support arms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A litter support assembly according to claim 5, wherein each pair of aligned attachment members comprise opposite end portions of a continuous stud extending through a pair of aligned apertures extending through said oppositely disposed sides of each upright portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A litter support assembly according to claim 5, wherein further pairs of aligned attachment members horizontally spaced from and aligned with a corresponding pair of attachment members also extend outwardly from vertically spaced portions of the oppositely disposed sides of each upright portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
A litter support assembly according to claim 1, wherein said locking means comprises at least a first pair of locking straps pivotally mounted on the inboard end of each support arm; each of said first pair of locking straps partially enclosing an end portion of a medical litter and each first pair of locking straps detachably engaging one another to clamp said end portion against movement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A litter support assembly according to claim 8, wherein said locking means further comprising second pairs of locking straps mounted on outboard end portions of each support arm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A litter support assembly according to claim 9, wherein each pair of locking straps provides an over-center engagement assembly including a hook-shaped flange mounted in one locking strap of each pair and extending through one of a plurality of apertures formed in the other locking strap of said pair.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
A litter support assembly according to claim 1, wherein one flange of each pair of flanges is attached to an opposite side of each respective support arm and extends substantially parallel to the other flange of said pair.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
69 words
A litter support assembly according to claim 1, wherein said engagement means further comprises a spring member mounted on said assembly for biasing said pair of spaced arms into positions adjacent said second pair of attachment members as said support arm is pivoted to a fully extended position wherein a longitudinal axis of said support arm extends substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said adjacently disposed upright portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
A litter support assembly according to claim 1, wherein each base portion includes a pair of leg portions extending outwardly from opposite sides of a central bracket, and each upright portion includes an end extending into an opening in the respective central bracket.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
A litter support assembly according to claim 13, wherein each upright portion has a substantially rectangular configuration and each pair of leg portions comprise oppositely disposed ends of a separate leg member extending completely through each central bracket.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-08-08 | 1987-02-07 | 1987-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-08 | 1991-02-07 | 1991-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-08 | 1995-02-07 | 1995-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |