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Publication Number
US-11224441-B2
Publication Date
2022-01-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to first aid articles and more specifically tourniquets suitable for one handed application. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a tourniquet having a base defining first and second ends. A constricting band is attached to and extends from the first end of the base. A handle is engaged with the constricting band. The constricting band engages a self cinching buckle which includes polygonal frame member and a self cinching member engaged with the polygonal frame member. A hook member is attached to the first end of the base and is configured to engage the polygonal frame member.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention is a tourniquet having a unitary base and a unitary constricting band disposed partially within the unitary base, where the unitary constricting band extends from the unitary base and includes a first end attached to the unitary base. The tourniquet includes a handle engaged with the unitary constricting band to draw a free end of the unitary constricting band through a self cinching buckle, and the self cinching buckle includes a polygonal frame member and a self cinching member engaged with the polygonal frame member.
In the self cinching buckle, the self cinching member is slidably engaged with the polygonal frame member such that pulling the free end of the unitary constricting band causes the self cinching member to slide along the polygonal frame member and pinch the unitary constricting band between the self cinching member and the polygonal frame member. In related embodiments, the self cinching member is a cuff disposed within and slidably engaged with the polygonal frame member, and the polygonal frame member includes an opening having a lengthwise dimension L2.
The tourniquet also includes a hook member disengaged from the unitary base and directly pivotally attached to the first end of the unitary constricting band. The hook member has a hook configured to releasably engage the polygonal frame member, including engagement via a tongue-and-groove engagement and friction fit interaction, and the first end of the unitary base extends beyond an entirety of the hook member in a direction opposite the handle.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims include five independent claims total. Across them, the main inventive features focus on a unitary base and constricting band tightened by a self cinching buckle with a polygonal or hexagonal frame member and a slidably engaged self cinching member, together with a hook member directly attached to the first end of the constricting band and configured to releasably engage the frame member, including specified length relationships and a base extending beyond the hook opposite the handle.
Unitary base with unitary constricting band tightened by sliding self cinching buckle
A unitary base and a unitary constricting band disposed partially within the unitary base, with the unitary constricting band extending from the unitary base and having a first end attached to the unitary base; a handle engaged with the unitary constricting band; a self cinching buckle including a polygonal frame member and a self cinching member engaged with the polygonal frame member, a free end of the unitary constricting band being threaded through the self cinching buckle; the self cinching member being slidably engaged with the polygonal frame member such that pulling the free end causes the self cinching member to slide and pinch the unitary constricting band between the self cinching member and the polygonal frame member.
Hook releasably engaging polygonal frame with defined length relationships
A hook member disengaged from the unitary base and directly pivotally attached to the first end of the unitary constricting band, the hook member having a hook configured to releasably engage the polygonal frame member; the side of the polygonal frame member that engages the hook has a length L3 that is less than a length L4 of an opposing side of the polygonal frame member and the hook has a length L1 that is about one half of the lengthwise dimension L2 of the opening of the polygonal frame member.
Base extending beyond hook opposite the handle
A first end of the unitary base extends beyond an entirety of the hook member in a direction opposite the handle.
Hexagonal frame self cinching buckle pinching against first side with parallel hook engagement
A self cinching buckle including a hexagonal frame member and a self cinching member engaged with the hexagonal frame member, a free end of the unitary constricting band being threaded through the self cinching buckle; the self cinching member being slidably engaged with the hexagonal frame member such that pulling the free end causes the self cinching member to slide along the hexagonal frame member and pinch the unitary constricting band between the self cinching member and a first side of the hexagonal frame member; and a hook member disengaged from the unitary base and directly attached to the first end of the unitary constricting band, the hook member including a cuff releasably engageable with a second side of the hexagonal frame member, the first side being parallel to the second side and the cuff having a length L1 that is shorter than a length L3 of the second side of the hexagonal frame member.
Layered base with band sandwiched between first and second layers
At least a portion of the base has first and second layers, and a portion of the constricting band is sandwiched between the first and second layers.
Across the provided independent claims, the claim coverage centers on a tourniquet with a base and constricting band tightened by a self cinching buckle that uses a polygonal or hexagonal frame member and a self cinching member that slides to pinch the band. Release and re-engagement are addressed by a hook member that is disengaged from the base and attached to the first end of the constricting band and is configured to releasably engage a frame side, with geometric length relationships and an arrangement where the base extends beyond the hook opposite the handle.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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