# US 5,702,142 A · Trauma unit for vehicle

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- Number: US 5,702,142 A
- Document ID: US5702142A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/556,223
- Filed: 1995-11-09
- Granted: 1997-12-30
- Earliest claimed: 1995-11-09
- Inventors: Arthur E. Newell
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5702142A

## CPC

- A61G 3/00: Ambulance aspects of vehicles; Vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances, e.g. for facilitating access of, or for loading, wheelchairs
- A61G 2220/10: Aircrafts
- B64D 2011/0092: {Arrangements for mounting stretchers in aircraft cabins}
- A61G: TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS (appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk A61H3/00); OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES (embalming corpses A01N1/00)
- B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT

## Abstract

A trauma unit for transporting nonambulatory patients includes a removable frame secured to a vehicle by a frame mounting system which includes a series of mounting subassemblies, hooks, and studs. The trauma unit frame supports a variety of patient/attendant support systems including patient and attendant seats, straps, fasteners, and patient-immobilizing apparatus such as a patient-immobilizing panel and an adjustable, retractable leg splint.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A trauma unit for mounting on a vehicle including front and back ends, a driver/passenger area located in proximity to the front end, and a bed extending between the driver/passenger area and the vehicle back end, wherein said trauma unit comprises:
(a) a frame adapted to overlie the bed and having front and back ends and opposite driver and passenger sides;
(b) said frame having a patient-immobilizing-panel support portion located along a respective said side of the frame;
(c) at least one hook on said frame positioned to engage a rear portion of said vehicle; and
(d) at least one pin engageable with said frame and removably engageable with a sleeve attached to said vehicle when said hook is engaged with said vehicle rear portion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The trauma unit according to claim 1, wherein:
(a) said support portion is located along the passenger side of said frame.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The trauma unit according to claim 1 wherein said support portion comprises:
(a) a passenger side longitudinal member and an intermediate longitudinal member each extending generally longitudinally with respect to said frame; and
(b) a plurality of crosspieces extending between said passenger side and intermediate longitudinal members.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The trauma unit according to claim 3, which further includes:
(a) a plurality of straps attached to said passenger side longitudinal member and said intermediate longitudinal member for securing a patient-immobilizing panel on said support portion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The trauma unit according to claim 1, which further includes:
(a) a patient seat mounted on said frame adjacent to the driver side and the back end thereof, said patient seat facing rearwardly.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The trauma unit according to claim 1, which further includes:
(a) a front attendant seat mounted on said frame front end in front of said vehicle driver/passenger area, said front attendant seat facing rearwardly.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The trauma unit according to claim 1, which further includes:
(a) a side attendant seat mounted on said frame adjacent to the driver side thereof.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The trauma unit according to claim 1, wherein:
(a) said bed has a front wall with an upper edge; and
(b) said trauma unit further includes driver and passenger side cargo shields for shielding occupants of the vehicle from cargo in the vehicle bed, said driver side cargo shield being fixed, said passenger side cargo shield having a first position extending upwardly from said front wall upper edge and a second position folded downward alongside said front wall.

### Claim 9

A trauma unit for mounting on a vehicle including front and back ends, a driver/passenger area located in proximity to the front end, and a bed extending between the driver/passenger area to the vehicle back end, wherein said trauma unit comprises:
(a) a frame including:
(1) front and back ends and driver and passenger sides;
(2) a driver side longitudinal member and a passenger side longitudinal member extending along said driver and passenger sides respectively;
(3) an intermediate longitudinal member extending longitudinally in spaced relation between said driver and passenger side longitudinal members; and
(4) at least one crosspiece extending transversely between and connecting said longitudinal members;
(b) a patient/attendant support system comprising:
(1) panel mounting means for mounting a patient-immobilizing panel on said frame;
(2) a patient seat mounted on said frame adjacent to the driver side and the back end thereof;
(3) a front attendant seat mounted on said frame adjacent the front end thereof in front of said driver/passenger area; and
(4) a side attendant seat mounted on said frame adjacent the driver side; and
(c) frame mounting means for selectively and removably mounting said frame on said vehicle.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The trauma unit according to claim 9, wherein said panel mounting means includes:
(a) a plurality of straps with each said strap attached to a respective one of said passenger side longitudinal member and said intermediate longitudinal member.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The trauma unit according to claim 9, which further includes: (a) leg immobilizing means extending rearwardly from said frame back end at said patient seat for immobilizing a leg of a patient seated thereon in an extended position, wherein said leg immobilizing means comprises:
(1) a slidably extendable leg board slidable between a retracted position substantially under said patient seat and an extended position extending rearwardly from said frame back end;
(2) a longitudinally extending slot; and
(3) a leg board mounting bolt which extends through said leg board slot and pivotably mounts said leg board on said trauma unit.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The trauma unit according to claim 9 wherein said frame mounting means comprises:
(a) a clevis;
(b) a first intermediate mounting subassembly which includes a lock pin and sleeves;
(c) a second intermediate mounting subassembly which includes a lock pin, a gusset, and a sleeve;
(d) at least one hook; and
(e) studs positioned to engage respective stake pockets on the vehicle.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The trauma unit according to claim 12, wherein each of said lock pins include:
(a) a knob;
(b) a shank;
(c) a ball detent; and
(d) a button actuator.

### Claim 14

A trauma unit for a vehicle including a chassis and a vehicle body, the vehicle body having front and back ends, driver and passenger sides, a driver/passenger area in proximity to the front end, and a bed with bed sidewalls, a bed front wall, and a tailgate, wherein said trauma unit comprises:
(a) a frame including:
(1) front and back ends;
(2) driver and passenger sides;
(3) a driver side longitudinal member extending longitudinally adjacent said frame driver side;
(4) a passenger side longitudinal member extending generally longitudinally along said frame passenger side;
(5) a frame intermediate longitudinal member extending longitudinally between said frame front and back ends in spaced relation between and generally parallel to said driver and said passenger side longitudinal members;
(6) a main crosspiece extending transversely between said driver and said passenger said longitudinal members and connected to said intermediate longitudinal member;
(7) a plurality of side crosspieces extending transversely between said intermediate longitudinal member and said passenger side longitudinal member;
(8) a front subframe including a front crosspiece extending transversely between said intermediate longitudinal member and said frame passenger side and a front handrail extending upwardly from said front crosspiece;
(9) a rear subframe including a lower crosspiece extending between said frame passenger side and a position beneath said intermediate longitudinal member, a driver side post extending downward from said driver side longitudinal member, and passenger side and intermediate posts each extending downward between respective said passenger side and intermediate longitudinal members and respective ends of said lower crosspiece;
(10) a driver side handrail extending rearwardly from said driver side post;
(11) a driver side rail positioned over said driver side longitudinal member and extending longitudinally along said driver side of said frame; and
(12) an intermediate handrail extending rearwardly from said intermediate post;
(b) a patient-immobilizing panel including front and back ends, opposite sides, and a plurality of hand holds located in proximity to said panel opposite sides;
(c) front and back pairs of frame handle extensions, each pair extending oppositely and laterally from respective said passenger side and intermediate longitudinal members;
(d) front and back straps each comprising first and second strap sections connected to said frame handle extension pairs and adapted for selective interconnection, each said strap including buckle means for placement over said patient-immobilizing panel;
(e) a patient seat mounted on said frame in proximity to said frame back end and said frame driver side;
(f) a leg restraint board slidably connected to said frame beneath said patient seat and having a retracted position substantially under said patient seat and an extended position extending rearwardly, said leg restraint board being slidably movable between the retracted and extended positions thereof;
(g) a front attendant seat mounted on said front subframe in proximity to said frame front end and said frame passenger side;
(h) a side attendant seat mounted on said driver side longitudinal member; and
(i) a frame mounting system including a plurality of sleeves in said frame and a like plurality of sleeves attached to said vehicle body and a corresponding plurality of fasteners, each fastener including a lock pin with a shank, a knob, a ball detent, and a button actuator.

### Claim 15

A trauma unit for mounting on a vehicle including front and back ends, a driver/passenger area located in proximity to the front end, and a bed extending between the driver/passenger area and the vehicle back end, wherein said trauma unit comprises:
(a) a frame adapted to overlie the bed and having front and back ends and opposite driver and passenger sides;
(b) said frame having a patient-immobilizing-panel support portion located along a respective said side of the frame;
(c) frame mounting means for mounting said frame on said vehicle bed; and
(d) a patient seat mounted on said frame adjacent to the driver side and the back end thereof, said patient seat facing rearwardly.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The trauma unit according to claim 15, which further includes:
(a) leg immobilizing means extending rearwardly from said frame back end at said patient seat for immobilizing a leg of a patient seated thereon in an extended position.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The trauma unit according to claim 16 wherein said leg immobilizing means comprises:
(a) a slidably extendable leg board slidable between a retracted position substantially under said patient seat and an extended position extending rearwardly from said frame back end.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The trauma unit according to claim 17 wherein:
(a) said leg board has a longitudinally extending slot; and
(b) said trauma unit further includes a leg board mounting bolt which extends through said leg board slot and pivotably mounts said leg board on said trauma unit.

### Claim 19

A trauma unit for mounting on a vehicle including front and back ends, a driver/passenger area located in proximity to the front end, and a bed extending between the driver/passenger area and the vehicle back end, wherein said trauma unit comprises:
(a) a frame adapted to overlie the bed and having front and back ends and opposite driver and passenger sides;
(b) said frame having a patient-immobilizing-panel support portion located along a respective said side of the frame;
(c) frame mounting means for mounting said frame on said vehicle bed; and
(d) a front attendant seat mounted on said frame front end in front of said vehicle driver/passenger area, said front attendant seat facing rearwardly.

### Claim 20

A trauma unit for mounting on a vehicle including front and back ends, a driver/passenger area located in proximity to the front end, and a bed extending between the driver/passenger area and the vehicle back end, wherein said trauma unit comprises:
(a) a frame adapted to overlie the bed and having front and back ends and opposite driver and passenger sides;
(b) said frame having a patient-immobilizing-panel support portion located along a respective said side of the frame; and
(c) frame mounting means for mounting said frame on said vehicle bed, said frame mounting means comprising:
i) a clevis;
ii) a first intermediate mounting subassembly which includes a lock pin and sleeves;
iii) a second intermediate mounting subassembly which includes a lock pin, a gusset, and a sleeve;
iv) at least one hook positioned to engage a corresponding portion of the vehicle; and
v) studs positioned to engage corresponding stake pockets in the vehicle.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The trauma unit according to claim 20, wherein each of said lock pins includes:
(a) a knob;
(b) a shank;
(c) a ball detent; and
(d) a button actuator.

### Claim 22

A trauma unit for mounting on a vehicle including front and back ends, a driver/passenger area located in proximity to the front end, and a bed extending between the driver/passenger area and the vehicle back end, said bed having a front wall with an upper edge, wherein said trauma unit comprises:
(a) a frame adapted to overlie the bed and having front and back ends and opposite driver and passenger sides;
(b) said frame having a patient-immobilizing-panel support portion located along a respective said side of the frame;
(c) frame mounting means for mounting said frame on said vehicle bed; and
(d) driver and passenger side cargo shields, said driver side cargo shield being fixed, said passenger side cargo shield having a first position extending upwardly from said front wall upper edge and a second position folded into said vehicle bed.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The trauma unit according to claim 22 wherein said passenger side cargo shield includes:
(a) a hinge hingedly mounting said passenger side cargo shield on said bed front wall; and
(b) a latch for selectively securing said passenger side cargo shield in the first position thereof.