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US-12616601-B2 - Harness assembly for use with patient transport apparatuses

US12616601B2US 12616601 B2US12616601 B2US 12616601B2US-12616601-B2

Abstract

A harness assembly for use with a patient transport apparatus is provided. The harness assembly includes a strap for securing a patient to the patient transport apparatus. The harness assembly also includes a guard configured for removable attachment to the strap, the guard including a base, a keeper, and a retainer. The base defines a channel arranged to receive the strap. The keeper is arranged for movement relative to the base between a released position to permit movement of the strap along the channel of the base, and a secured position to restrict movement of the strap out of the channel. The retainer is coupled between the base and the keeper and is operable between an engaged configuration to retain the keeper in the secured position, and a disengaged configuration to permit movement of the keeper between the secured position and the released position.

Inventors

  • Bradley Sommer
  • Annali Evling
  • Justin Jon Raymond

Assignees

  • STRYKER CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20230309

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . A harness assembly for use with a patient transport apparatus, the harness assembly comprising: a strap for securing a patient to the patient transport apparatus, the strap defining a distal end with a strap interface for attaching to the patient transport apparatus, and a proximal end; and a guard configured for removable attachment to the proximal end of the strap to secure the guard to the proximal end of the strap for concurrent movement with the proximal end of the strap relative to the strap interface, the guard including: a base defining a channel arranged to receive and secure the proximal end of the strap therein; a keeper arranged for movement relative to the base between: a released position to permit movement of the proximal end of the strap along the channel of the base, and a secured position to inhibit movement of the proximal end of the strap out of the channel; and a retainer coupled between the base and the keeper and being movable relative to the keeper between: an engaged configuration to retain the keeper in the secured position, and a disengaged configuration to permit movement of the keeper between the secured position and the released position.
  2. 2 . The harness assembly of claim 1 , wherein the channel of the base defines an inlet, the channel being arranged to receive the proximal end of the strap therein via the inlet.
  3. 3 . The harness assembly of claim 2 , wherein the retainer includes: a protrusion coupled to the keeper; and a receiver formed in the base shaped to receive the protrusion.
  4. 4 . The harness assembly of claim 3 , wherein, during operation of the retainer in the engaged configuration, the receiver secures the protrusion to retain the keeper in the secured position.
  5. 5 . The harness assembly of claim 3 , wherein, during operation of the retainer in the disengaged configuration, the receiver is spaced from the protrusion to permit movement of the keeper between the secured position and the released position.
  6. 6 . The harness assembly of claim 3 , wherein the keeper is pivotably coupled to the base along an axis, the keeper being configured to pivot about the axis between the released position and the secured position.
  7. 7 . The harness assembly of claim 3 , wherein the channel is operable between: a received configuration where the channel receives the proximal end of the strap; and a spaced configuration where the channel is spaced from the proximal end of the strap.
  8. 8 . The harness assembly of claim 7 , wherein the base includes an abutment, wherein the proximal end of the strap includes an aperture sized and shaped to receive the abutment, and wherein, during operation of the channel in the received configuration, the aperture receives the abutment and the abutment is configured to at least partially limit movement of the strap relative to the channel.
  9. 9 . The harness assembly of claim 8 , wherein the abutment of the base includes an insert configured to receive a fastener, the fastener including a shaft configured to be received by the insert; and wherein the fastener includes a head, the head being configured to secure the strap to the base when the shaft is received by the insert and during operation of the channel in the received configuration.
  10. 10 . The harness assembly of claim 3 , wherein the inlet is further defined as a first inlet, and wherein the channel of the base defines a second inlet parallel to the first inlet, the channel being arranged to receive the keeper therein via the second inlet.
  11. 11 . The harness assembly of claim 10 , wherein the receiver is adjacent to the second inlet, and wherein, during operation of the retainer in the engaged configuration, the channel receives the keeper therein via the second inlet such that the receiver secures the protrusion to retain the keeper in the secured position.
  12. 12 . The harness assembly of claim 10 , wherein the keeper includes a flange including a retaining surface, wherein the base includes a slot including an abutment surface, and wherein the slot extends parallelly to the first inlet and configured to receive the flange, during operation of the retainer in the engaged configuration, such that the abutment surface contacts the retaining surface to retain the keeper in the secured position.
  13. 13 . The harness assembly of claim 3 , wherein the inlet is further defined as a first inlet, wherein the receiver extends within the channel parallel to the first inlet, and wherein the channel of the base defines a second inlet orthogonal to the first inlet, the channel being arranged to receive the keeper therein via the second inlet.
  14. 14 . The harness assembly of claim 13 , wherein, during operation of the retainer in the engaged configuration, the channel receives the keeper therein via second inlet such that the receiver secures the protrusion to retain the keeper in the secured position.
  15. 15 . The harness assembly of claim 13 , wherein the keeper includes a flange including a retaining surface, wherein the base includes a slot including an abutment surface, wherein the slot extends orthogonally to the first inlet, and wherein the channel is arranged to receive the flange therein via the second inlet, during operation of the retainer in the engaged configuration, such that the abutment surface contacts the retaining surface to retain the keeper in the secured position.
  16. 16 . The harness assembly of claim 1 , wherein the base further includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and second portion defining the channel, and wherein the keeper includes a groove arranged to receive both the first portion and the second portion during operation of the retainer in the engaged configuration.
  17. 17 . The harness assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a tether lock configured to operate in a locked configuration where the tether lock secures a portion of the strap, wherein the tether lock includes a latch and a catch arranged to secure the latch to at least partially limit movement of the latch relative to the catch during operation of the tether lock in the locked configuration.
  18. 18 . The harness assembly of claim 1 , wherein the keeper defines a pocket configured to receive the proximal end of the strap.
  19. 19 . A harness assembly for use with a patient transport apparatus, the harness assembly comprising: a strap for securing a patient to the patient transport apparatus, the strap defining a distal end with a strap interface for attaching to the patient transport apparatus, and a proximal end; and a guard configured for removable attachment to the proximal end of the strap, the guard including: a base including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion defining a channel arranged to receive the proximal end of the strap therein; a keeper being arranged for movement relative to the base between: a released position to permit movement of the proximal end of the strap along the channel of the base, and a secured position to restrict movement of the proximal end of the strap out of the channel; and a retainer coupled between the base and the keeper and being operable between: an engaged configuration to retain the keeper in the secured position, and a disengaged configuration to permit movement of the keeper between the secured position and the released position; wherein the keeper includes a groove arranged to receive both the first portion and the second portion of the base during operation of the retainer in the engaged configuration.
  20. 20 . A harness assembly for use with a patient transport apparatus, the harness assembly comprising: a strap for securing a patient to the patient transport apparatus, the strap defining a distal end with a strap interface for attaching to the patient transport apparatus, and a proximal end; a guard configured for removable attachment to the proximal end of the strap, the guard including: a base defining a channel arranged to receive the proximal end of the strap therein; a keeper arranged for movement relative to the base between: a released position to permit movement of the proximal end of the strap along the channel of the base, and a secured position to restrict movement of the proximal end of the strap out of the channel; and a retainer coupled between the base and the keeper and being operable between: an engaged configuration to retain the keeper in the secured position, and a disengaged configuration to permit movement of the keeper between the secured position and the released position; and a tether lock configured to operate in a locked configuration where the tether lock secures a portion of the strap, wherein the tether lock includes a latch and a catch arranged to secure the latch to at least partially limit movement of the latch relative to the catch during operation of the tether lock in the locked configuration.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The subject patent application claims priority to and all the benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/318,092 filed on Mar. 9, 2022 the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND In many instances, patients with limited mobility may be transported on one or more types of patient transport apparatuses, such as cots, hospital beds, stretchers, backboards, and the like. In certain situations, the patient may need to be restrained or otherwise secured to a patient support surface defined by the patient transport apparatus via one or more harness assemblies, straps, and the like. Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that conventional patient restraints help limit relative movement between the patient and the patient support surface, and can help facilitate improved ease of transport for caregivers. Typically, caregivers will secure the patient to the patient support surface using an arrangement of straps, harnesses, and the like, which may be adjustable to conform to different patient body types. As such, these conventional straps tend to be of excess length to allow usage with patients of a variety of body types. However, when these conventional straps are used with certain types of patients (e.g., shorter or younger patients), they can include an excess length and be difficult to manage, especially during patient transport. A harness assembly that addresses one or more of the aforementioned challenges is desired. SUMMARY A harness assembly for use with a patient transport apparatus is provided. The harness assembly comprises: a strap for securing a patient to the patient transport apparatus, the strap defining a distal end with a strap interface for attaching to the patient transport apparatus, and a proximal end; and a guard configured for removable attachment to the proximal end of the strap, the guard including: a base defining a channel arranged to receive the proximal end of the strap therein; a keeper arranged for movement relative to the base between: a released position to permit movement of the proximal end of the strap along the channel of the base, and a secured position to restrict movement of the proximal end of the strap out of the channel; and a retainer coupled between the base and the keeper and being operable between: an engaged configuration to retain the keeper in the secured position, and a disengaged configuration to permit movement of the keeper between the secured position and the released position. A patient support system is provided. The patient support system comprises: a patient transport apparatus; a harness assembly comprising: a strap for securing a patient to the patient transport apparatus, the strap defining a distal end with a strap interface for attaching to the patient transport apparatus, and a proximal end; and a guard configured for removable attachment to the proximal end of the strap, the guard including: a base defining a channel arranged to receive the proximal end of the strap therein; a keeper arranged for movement relative to the base between: a released position to permit movement of the proximal end of the strap along the channel of the base, and a secured position to restrict movement of the proximal end of the strap out of the channel; and a retainer coupled between the base and the keeper and being operable between: an engaged configuration to retain the keeper in the secured position, and a disengaged configuration to permit movement of the keeper between the secured position and the released position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a patient transport apparatus and a front perspective view of a patient support system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a partial view of the patient transport apparatus of FIG. 1 and a perspective view of the patient support system in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the patient transport apparatus of FIGS. 1-2 and a rear perspective view of the patient support system in FIGS. 1-2. FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the patient transport apparatus of FIGS. 1-3 and a rear perspective view of the patient support system in FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first shoulder connector, a second shoulder connector, and a strap management guard of the patient support system in FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first instance of the strap management guard of the patient support system in FIGS. 1-4. FIGS. 7A-7C are perspective views illustrating an operation of the strap management guard of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second instance of the strap management guard of the patient support system in FIGS. 1-4.