US2285238A - Folding litter - Google Patents

Description

June 2, 1942.

s. G. .THoMsoN FOLDING LITTER .Fil-ed May 9, '1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Il' III mw June 2, 1942.y

s. G. THOMSON FOLDING' L ITTER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 9, 1941 Patented June 2, 1942 u FOLDING LITTER Samuel G. Thomson, Flushing, N. Y., assignor to Zimmer-Thomson Corporation, Flushing, N. Y.

Application May 9, 1941, Serial No. 392,766

13 Claims.

This invention relates to utters for transbouing sick or injured persons and has special reference to a folding litter especially adapted lor military uses in transporting wounded persons.

It is understood that whenever the term metal is used various materials may be substituted as full equivalents and among such materials are plastics, ply-wood and any kind of laminated or built up compositions. It will benoted that aluminum is the metal often used in such constructions as the present device and the use of other materials, such as those mentioned, tends to conserve aluminuml for more important military uses. Obviously the cross-sections of the parts may be varied in thickness and width according to the exact stress and strain calculations necessitated by the materials used, and in order to save weight at places where such weight can be saved without impairing the strength required for the part.

One important object of the invention is to provide a novel construction o f folding litter wherein the major metal parts such as the sidebar saddles, the legs and the stretcher bars may be made from rolled or extruded metal, plastics or other material th'us eliminating the use ofcastings for such parts.'

A second important object of the invention is to provide an improved leg construction for such a litter wherein the leg is made from strap material bent and curved to proper shape to provide proper spacing for one end ofa stretcher bar section.

A third important object of the invention is to provide such a litter with a leg and stretcher bar arrangement of such character that the stretcher bars may be made of straight strap material.

A fourth important object of the invention is to .provide an improved connection between the adprovide a folding litter wherein the leg and .stretcher bar arrangement is such as to present no interference to the closing of the side-bars or poles on one another, the presence of the fabric connecting these side-bars or poles being al1 that prevents actual contact 'between them when collapsed thus occupying a minimum of cross-sectional space.

With the. above and other objects in view, as wilI be further set forth, the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of-parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

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

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of one end of a litter constructed in accordance with this inven tion and showing the litter expanded in full lines and in substantially collapsed position in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Figure 1, similarly disclosing the expanded and collapsed positions. l

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing one form of strap leg and the connection of y a stretcher bar section thereto.

illustrating a second modication of the joint of that figure.

Figure 5a is a perspective view of a. combined bushing and washer used in connection with the joint of Figure 5.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 but.

showing a third modification of the joint.

Figure 6a is a disassembled perspective view of a bushing and washer used in the form of joint shown in Figure 6.

Figure '7 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating a modification ofthe strap leg shown in Figure 3 and showing the Joint of Figure 4. Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure '7 but showing a second modification of the leg and the type of joint shown in Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 7 but showing a third modication of the leg and the joint as in Figure 6.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 8 but showing a fourth modication of the leg.

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 7 but showing a fifth modification of the leg.

Figure 11a is a fragmentary view of Figure 11 showing a modification of the leg positioning means.

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure '7 but showing a sixth modification of the leg.

Figure 12a is a fragmentary view of Figure 12 showing a modification of the leg 'positioning means.

Figure 13 is a perspective view showing a seventh modification of leg, this form being a type adapted for production by extrusion methods.

Figure 14 is a plan view of one end of a spreader bar showing adjusting means for compensating for stretching of the fabric of the litter.

Figure 14a is a perspective view of the adjusting member used in Figure 14.

Figure 15 is a perspective view showing a further modification of the leg wherein the pole saddle and leg are formed integrally.

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 8 but showing a lsolid leg.

Figure 17 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom plan view of the litter partly in section and illustrating the arrangement of the stretcher bar sections and their connecting joint upon co1- lapse of the litter.

Figure 18 is a plan view, partly in section, showing the stretcher bars and joint therebetween when the litter is expanded.

Figure 19 is a cross-section through one form of stretcher bar connecting member showing one form of pivot joint for pivoting the sections to said member.

Figure 20 is a perspective view showing a bushing and washer used in Figure 19 in disassembled relation.

Figure 21 is a view similar to Figure 19 but showing a modification of the joint.

Figure 22 is a fragmentary'plan view of a second modification of the stretcher bar joint.

Figure 23 is a section on the line 23-23 of Figure 22.

Figure 24 is a fragmentary plan view of a third modification of the stretcher bar joint.

Figure 25 is a section on `the line 25-25 of Figure 24.

Figure 26 is a bottom planview to reduced scale of a complete litter constructed in accordance with this invention.

In the folding litter as here shown there is provided a pair of side bars or poles I generally illustrated as circular in cross-section although the middle portions of these bars may be rectangular as shown at Ina in Figure 5. These poles are provided with the usual handles I I and carry the usual fabric litter bottom I2. In the majority of the views of the drawings the fabric is omitted the better to show the working parts whereby the litter may be collapsed and expanded. Each of these poles is provided with a pair of saddles one form of which for round poles is indicated -at I3 while another form for round poles is shown at I3a (Fig. 6) and a form for square poles at I3b (Fig. 5). Under each of the saddles is a leg indicated in general at I4 and the legs of the poles are connected by stretcher bar arrangements indicated in general at I5.

I6 at its upper side and a shallow leg channel.

I1 in its lower face. In Figures 6, 11 and 12 the saddle I3a has the usual pole seat I8 and a cross channel or groove I9 in its lower face. In Figure 5 the channel 21| of the upper face is shaped to fit the square pole Illa and a channel 2I similar to the channel I1 is provided.

The leg I4 of Figures 2 and 3 is formed from a strip or bar of metal of uniform width and thickness such as may be produced by extrusion or rolling. This bar has a. straight upper portion 22 which fits into the channel I1, the thickness of the bar being such as to cause it to project somewhat below the walls of the channel. Extending downwardly from one end of the portion 22 is a depending portion 23 which merges by a curve 24 into an arcuate leg bottom or ground engaging portion 25 at one end thereof. The other end of the portion 25 merges into an arcuate portion 26 which in turn merges into an upright portion 21. From the top of the portion 21 extends a straight portion 28 parallel to the portion 22 and provided with an upturned terminal portion 29 engaging the portion 22 adjacent the portion 23. The portions 23 and 21 diverge from their upper ends downwardly. The portions 22 and 28 are provided with suitable openings for a bolt 30 which passes through the pole I0 and through these openings. A nut 3l on the lower lend of the bolt 30 serves to hold the pole, saddle and leg rmly and immovably together. It is to be noted that a wide laterally disposed space 32 is provided between the portions 22 and 28 and the purpose of this space will be presently explained.-

In the form of the leg shown in Figures 7 to 13 Y and 15 the structure is similarly made from strip or bar metal. In Figure 7 the bar is formed with a straight upper portion 33 corresponding to the portion 22 and from one end of the portion 33 the bar extends in a circular arc 34 the lower part of which engages the ground. The arc 34 merges into an arcuate portion 35 which in turn merges into a straight portion 36 parallel to the portion 33 and terminating against the portion 34. The portions 33 and 36, being spaced, provide the wide space 32 as before.

In the form of the leg shown in Figure 8 there is provided an upper straight portion 31 of considerably greater length than'the saddle I3, one end of this portion terminating below the saddle while the other end projects beyond the corresponding saddle end. Extending downwardly from the projecting end is a circularly arcuate ground engaging portion 3B which.merges by a curve 39 into an inclined straight portion 40 from which projects a straight portion 4I parallel v to the portion 31. The portion 4I is shorter than the saddle I3 and lies entirely below the saddle. The portions 31 and 38 provide the usual wide space 32.

In the form of leg shown in Figure 9 the bar has a straight end portion 42 engaging the saddle I3 and from one end of the portion 42 extends a downwardly inclined portion 43 which merges into one end of a circularly arcuate ground engaging portion 44. 'I'he other end of the portion `44 merges into an inclined portion 45 from which extends a portion 46 parallel to the portion 42 and terminating against the portion 43 to provide the space 32. As in the form shown in Figure 3 bolts 30 and nuts 3| hold the parts of the last three forms together, the bolts extending through the parallel portions in each form.

In the form shown in Figure 10- the bar is provided with a straight portion 45a which is parallel to .and spaced from the saddle I3. From one end of the portion 45a extends a short and upwardly inclined terminal portion 45a while the other end merges into an arcuate portion 41 merging in turn into one end of an arcuate ground engaging portion 48. 4The other end of the portion 4I merges into the lower end of an upwardly extending andv outwardly inclined portion 49 having a terminal portion 5U rebent to -lie on top of the portion 46. Awide space 5l,

corresponding to the space 32, is formed by this construction between the portion 45 and saddle In the form shown in Figure 11 the parts are identical with those of Figure 7 except that the portion 33 is omitted and the portion 34 terminates in a reversely curved end 52 entering the notch I9. In Figure 11a the portion 34 terminates in a straight portion 53 engaging the end of the saddle |3a.'

In the form shown in Figure 12 the bar has portions 54, 55, 56 and 51 corresponding closely to the like parts of Figure except that the portion 51 merges directly into a portion 58 restwhen folded for carryingand storage. The horizontal bolting portion 4I of the strip has a free end with the view of simplifying production and ing on the portion 55 and terminating in an upwardly bent portion 59 engaging in the notch I9. In Figure 12a this portion- 59 is modiiied as at 60 to abut the end of the saddle 13a. Each of these forms has a wide space 5I. The bolts 30a for holding the last three forms in place are slightly shorter than the bolts but nuts 3| are like those previously used.

The forms of the leg shown in Figures 13 and l5 are especially adapted for production by extrusion being of generally tubular shape. In Figure 13 the shape is such that there is provided a straight portion 6I having an upstanding flange 62 at one end and from this end there extends downwardly an arcuate ground engaging portion 63which merges through an arcuate portion 64. into the remaining end of the portion 6l. These two forms may be produced from a strip by bending and welding or by cementing in the case of plastics by solvents. The flange 62 serves to hold the portion 6I spaced below the saddle to which this `leg is applied. The form lshown in Figure 15 is simuar to that just deceives thebottorn of the saddle and may beI milled out or formed by turning up edges of an extruded blank.

In the form shown in Figure 16 the leg consists of a substantially spherical solid member 61 which may be made of wood, rubber, metal or plastic. This member 61 is provided with a recess 68in its bottom to receive a nut 69 and washer 10 and a bolt hole 1| extends up from this recess to receive a bolt 12 by which the parts are assembled. l

In the view shown in Figure 7 the lips on the saddle block prevent the leg from turning around the bolt. The upper and lower faces of the swivel space are formed by the faces of the horizontal portions of the continuous strip forming the leg. The lower portion 36 provides a clamping face for the bolt and has its end abutting the curved portion 34 in order to solidify the formation, to prevent twisting, and also to take some of the clamping forces holding the leg to the pole.

In the view shown in Figure 8 the leg strip provides the upper face of the swivel space the same as in Figures '1 and 9, and therefore also the upper horizontal sliding bearing face for the end 0f Athe strut member of link of the spreader reducing costs. In the form shown in Figure 9 there is the same relationship between the faces of the swivel space and the bearing faces for the ends of the strut members. as in 8, except that the vlower bearing is furnished by a separate washer instead of by the ange of the bushing. The horizontal bolting portion of the strip has an abutting end as in Figure 7.

In the form shown in Figure 10 the upper face or'jaw of the swivel space is formed by the saddle block, as in Figures 6, 11 and 12.v The bent strip forming the leg does not continue through to form the upper sliding bearing face for end of the strut member. Instead, both ends of the bent strip terminate adjacent the end of saddle block and at that point afford means to prevent the leg from turning on the bolt as well as means for holding the ends firmly together. The use of the saddle block to form the upper sliding bearing for the spreader bar, as shown in Figure 6, affords much greater width than the width of strip shown in Figures 5 and 4. This applies particularly when the leg is formed by a narrower Astrip than the relative dimensions of these figures indicate. The spacing member in Figure 10,is the same as in Figure 8, but the clamping force of the bolt is transmitted through the spacer directly against the saddle block, instead of indirectly through the end of strip forming the leg as in Figure 9. This same direct transmission of forces to saddle block and pole is shown in Figures 6, 11 and 12.

Considering now the stretcher elements and referring especially to Figures 4 to 6a inclusive and Figure 1 it will be seen that each stretcher bar g includes a pair of like sections or links 13 each having an outer or leg end extremity bent to lie at a slight angle to the main or body portion of the link and adapted to enter any one of the spaces provided by the various link arrangements. In each of the forms now to be described each link has an opening 15 therein. In Figure 4 there is provided a tubular bushing 16 of such length as to fit closely betwen the leg portions 22 and 28. The inside diameter is such as to enable the bushing to fit properly on the bolt 30 and its outside diameter is such as to permit it to fit properly in the opening 15. As here shown the clearances between the parts have been exaggerated for the purpose of better disclosing the arrangement but it is to be understood that in any case the clearances should be such as to permit free rotation of the link 13 about the axis of the bolt 30.

In the form shown in Figure 4b the bushing is replaced by a collar 11 formed on a bolt 18 having both ends threaded to receive nuts. This form is adapted to be used. with the type of leg shown in Figure 1l. In each of these forms the bushing or collar affords large curved thrust bearings for the action of the strut member. The bushing and collar also act as a rigid spacer in maintaining a close sliding fit between the wide horizontal faces of the spreader link. The bushing and collar also holdsthese members squarewith each other and with the bolt as well as with the end of the spreader link and side pole.

In the form of this joint as shown in Figure 5 there is provided abushing 19 having a peripheral flange 80 at its lower end formed`integrally with the bushing. With this form the added width provided for the lower horizontally sliding faces is more effective in holding the entire pivotal connection square and ln preventing the bolt from being forced out of vertical position by the eccentrically applied slanting forces of the` spreader.

In the form of joint shown in Figure 6 the lower face of the saddle lilal is'broadened as at 8| and a bushing 82` ts between this lower face and a separate wide washer 83 which is here shown as resting on the portion 36 of the leg shown in Figure 1l. This construction alfords even greater extent of horizontal sliding bearing areas than that of Figure 5 and gives maximum effect for holding the connection square and will force the spreader link to bend rather than bite into the connection.

In Figures 14,`14a and 1'1 to 25 inclusive are shown certain arrangements relating to the stretcher bars and in Figures 17 to 25 there are specially shown forms of connecting each pair of the links or struts 13. Each of the links has an end portion 84 extending at a slight angle to the body of the link or strut so as to lie parallel to the end 14. As shown in Figures 17, 18 and 19 there is provided a channel-like connecting link having a web 85 and parallel anges 86 so spaced that the ends 84 may t closely therein. Each end 84 is provided with an opening 81 and the flanges are provided with similar openings 88. In these openings is tted a bushing 89 having on one end a flange 90 which bears against the outer face of one flange. The bushing is of proper length to extend from one outer flange face to the other. On the end of the bushing opposite the ange is a washer 9| and a bolt 92 passes through the washer 9| and bushing 09 and carries on its projecting end a nut 93.

In the joint shown in Figure 21 the connecting link is of J-shape in cross-section having a web 94, a wide fiange 95 and a narrow flange 96. In this form the ends 84 are each provided with an opening 91 for the reception of a pivot member having a body 98 provided with a ilange 99 at one end and a reduced and threaded end at the other. The reduced and threaded end |00 extends through an opening |0| in the flange 95 and on this end is fitted a washer |02 and nut |03 by means of which the pivot bolt is xed firmly in position. The length of the body 98 is .such that the washer and ilange 95 form flat bearings for the end 84.

In the form of this connection shown in Figures 22 and 23 the connecting link is a flat bar |04 and on one side at each end there is mounted a stop member firmly fixed in place by a rivet |06. Each member |05 has a lip |01 projecting over the bar |04 towards the side opposite that edge these plates are secured by connecting posts ||6 which also f orm stop members. At the center of the other side edge the plates are connected by a post ||1 carrying a yoke member I8 which lies between the links 13 when the litter is collapsed. The ends 84 are held between these plates by any suitable pivot means indicated at In Figures 14 and 14a is shown means whereby the eiective lengths of the struts or links 13 may be increased in case the fabric becomes loose between the poles as may happen by stretching of the fabric after considerable use. To accomplish this one end of each link is provided with an elongated opening |20 wherein is tted a lunate bushing |2| the normal position of which is shown in full lines in Figure 4 and the position for adjusting to greater length between pivot points of the strut in dotted lines. Qbviously, the arrangement just described may be used at either end of each link. If used at the junction of two links a pivot such as the bushing 89 or bolt 98 is received in the opening |20 between the member |2| and the opposite end of the opening While, if the arrangement is at the junction of the link and leg a bushing such as 16 lies similarly in the opening |20.

The exact stopping points of the spreader. bar in its travel over dead center is determined by the distance of the holes in the connecting link from the inside face of the web portion, and by the length of this interposed stop and reenforcing member. Figure 1'1 shows this stop member in the fully folded position of the spreader bar, where the ends of the strut members engage the web at sufliciently separated points to prevent a. pendulum swing of the entire spreader bar assembly when the litter is fully folded for carrying or for storage.

As a reenforcement to the spreader bar, this interposed member strengthens its jointed midlength portion in the direction of its tendency to buckle, which is transverse to its horizontal plane of operation. In spreader bar construction, it is necessary for the operating plane 0f the midlength portion of the spreader bar to lie substantially below the operating plane of its connections of the side poles. 'Ihis is shown in Figure 2 and in the angle of the ends of the strut members in Various other figures. This is to afford ample clearance for a heavy person to sink into the tightly stretched canvas. and also to allow for the canvas becoming permanently stretched with extended use. The adjustable-length feature of strut member eliminates the necessity for this allowance for permanent stretch of canvas. It follows then, that the spreader bar can be designed and constructed with less concavity or drop which means less distance between the above mentioned operating planes and less normal buckling tendency to contend with in the spreader bar design. The interposed reenforcing on which the member |05 is fixed. The strut or link end 84 is provided with an opening wherein is fitted a bushing |09 and for each end 84 the bar |04 is provided with an opening |I0. A bolt flange-like head I I2 which bears against one end of the bushing |08 while the other end of said bushing rests against the bar |04. The bolt'is provided with a washer ||3 and nut ||4 by which the parts are rigidly assembled.

In the form of joint shown in Figures 24 and 25 the connecting link is formed by a pair of spaced parallel plates H5. Adjacent one side `extends through the bushing and has a Y member enables these reductions to be carried still further and consequently further reduces the cross-strains which must be absorbed by the spreader bar in the normal setting up and tightening of the canvas, and which still further must be absorbed when the slanting strut members tend to buckle the spreader bar to a still deeper conformation as the litter canvas is loaded with a very heavy person. Reenforcement against this downward buckling is effectively accomplished by an interposed member along the midlength portion of the spreader bar where the buckling cross-strains are the greatest and where holesfor the pivoting connections weaken the section of the strut members.. The section and design of this interposed reenforcing member may besuch as to add any desired resistance found necessary in the mid-length jointed portion of the spreader bar to resist buckling, thus obviating the need for putting -this extra strength and weight into the full length of the strut members. The extra rigidity of the reenforcing member greatly reduces the lever arm tending to buckle the remaining portion of the length of strut members lying beyond the ends of said member, thus enabling all parts to be made lighter, and subject; to less binding and crossstrains in all pivoting bearings. With the concavity allowance in the spreader bar eliminated by strut member adjustment, and with less concavity required on account of mid-length vreenforcement of spreader bar and consequent less deflection, all parts of the mechanism are made lighter, the legs lower with less material, and the folded litter as a package has smaller dimensions.

The open end swivelling space in the leg, as shown in Figure 3, allows'the straight-end strut member to swing almost completely under the side pole, thus permitting the litter to be folded laterally into the smallest practicable space. No portion of the mechanism interferes to limit the fully closed width, the bulk of folded canvas lying between the poles being the only factor that prevents the poles `from coming solidly together. A fully closed width of five inches is easily attained. When curved strut members or gooseneck and offset ends are used to attain sideentrance access to the bolt around a semi-obstructing portion of the leg, or when swivel blocks are used or projections extend inwardly from leg to afford a round-about connection for the spreader bar, the interference of these parts with each other is the determining factorin obtaining minimum folding dimensions.

In the form shown in Figures 13 the leg I4 is extruded in the same manner as that in which pipes are extruded, the part 62 corresponding to a ilangeor rib on an ordinary pipe. The extrusion of the form shown in Figure 15 is accomplished in a similar manner, the formation of the channel 66 being accomplished by appropriate machining as, for instance, by means of a milling machine. j

What is claimed as new, is:

1. In a folding litter having fabric connected side poles, stretcher bars, and pole saddles under each side pole; separate supporting legs each located beneath a respective saddle with its longitudinal dimension extending along the pole and arranged to provide a low and wide space extending transversely of the pole and open at both sides and lat one end beneath said pole for the reception of an end of a stretcher bar, each of said legs including a horizontal upper portion spaced below the saddle, a ground engaging portion, means connecting the horizontal and ground engaging portions, means holding the horizontal portion in spaced relation to the saddle, and means engaging the respective saddle, each saddle having means coacting with the saddle engaging means of the respective leg and restraining the leg from rotation on its saddle, and means to connect the stretcher bar pivotally to the saddle in said space.

' 2. In a folding litter having fabric connected side poles, stretcher bars, and pole saddles under each side pole; separate supporting legs each located beneath a respective saddle with its longitudinal dimension extending along the pole and arranged to provide a low and wide space extending transversely of the pole and open at both Asides and at one end beneath said pole for the reception of an end of a stretcher bar, each of said legs including a horizontal upper portion spaced below the saddle, a ground engaging portion, means connecting the horizontal and ground engaging portions, means holding the horizontal portion in spaced relation to the saddle, and means engaging the respective saddle, each saddle having means coacting with the saddle engaging means of the respective leg and restraining the leg from rotation on its saddle, and means to connect the stretcher bar pivotally to the saddle inA said space, said means being so arranged and positioned as to permit the major portions of the stretcher bars to lie beneath the poles upon collapse of the litter.

3. In a folding litter having fabric connected side poles, stretcher bars, and pole saddles under each side pole; separate supporting legs each located beneath a respective saddle with its longitudinal dimension extending along the pole and arranged to provide a low and wide space extending transversely of the pole and open 'at both sides and at one end beneath said pole for the reception of an end of a stretcher bar, each of said legs including a horizontal upper portion spaced below the saddle, a ground engaging portion, means connecting the horizontal and ground engaging portions, means holding the horizontal portion in spaced relation to the saddle, and means engaging the respective saddle, each saddle having means coacting with the saddle engaging means of the respective leg and restraining the leg from rotation ony its saddle, and means to connect the stretcher bar pivotally to the saddle insaid space, said pivot means having its axis in the vertical axial plane of the respective pole whereby said stretcher bar may swing to'such position when the litter is collapsed that the greater portions of the lengths of the stretcher bars lie beneath the poles.

4. In a folding litter having fabric connected side poles, jointed stretcher bars, having end portions forming struts and-pole saddles under each side pole; separate supporting legs each located beneath a respective saddle with its longitudinal dimension extending longitudinally of the pole and arranged to provide a low and wide space open at each side of the pole, one end of said space being open and the other closed, each ofv said legs including a horizontal upper portion spaced below the saddle, a ground engaging portion, means connecting the horizontal and ground engaging portions, means holding the horizontal portion in spaced relation to the saddle, and means engaging the respective saddle, each saddle having means coacting with the saddle engaging means of the respective leg and restraining the leg from rotation on its saddle, each strut portion of a stretcher bar having an end fitting closely between the top and bottom walls of said space, a bolt extending vertically through the pole and strut end and securing the leg and saddle to the pole and connecting the strut pivotally thereto, and spacer means associated with said bolt and bearing at its ends against the top and bottom walls of said space.

5. In a folding litter having fabric connected side poles, jointed stretcher bars, having end portions forming struts and pole saddles under each side pole; separate supporting legs each located 'beneath a respective saddle with its longitudinal dimension extending longitudinally of the pole and arranged to provide a low and wide space open at each side of the pole, one end of said space being open and the other closed, each of said legs including a horizontal upper portion spaced below the saddle, a ground engaging portion, means connecting vthe horrizontal and ground engaging portions, means holding the horizontal portion in spaced relation to the saddle, and means engaging the respective saddle, each saddle having means coacting with the saddle engaging means of the respective leg and restraining the leg from rotation on its saddle, each strut portion of a stretcher bar having an end fitting closely between the top and bottom walls of said space, a bolt extending vertically through the pole and strut end and securing the leg and saddle to the pole and connecting the strut pivotally thereto, and spacer means associated with said bolt and bearing at its ends against the top and bottom walls of said space, said spacer-means maintaining the said walls in proper spaced relationvwhereby to maintain a sliding fit between the said walls and strut, to prevent said walls being drawn together by the clamping action of said bolt and to pre` vent the lateral portions of the strut from being forced into the walls of said space during pivotal action of the strut.

6. In a folding'litter having fabric connected side poles, stretcher bars, and pole saddles under each side pole; separate legs each associated with a saddle and consisting of a length of bar metal of uniform cross section and bent to provide an arcuate ground engaging portion, a horizontal portion and a portion engaging a saddle and holding the horizontal portion in spaced parallel relation to the under side of the saddle to provide a space for the end of a stretcher bar, said saddle being provided with means coacting with the portion of the leg engaging the saddle and acting to prevent rotation of the leg on the saddle, and a bolt passing through the pole, the saddle and said horizontal portion and forming a pivot for the stretcher bar an`d connecting means for the leg and saddle.

, 7. In a folding litter having fabric connected side poles, stretcher bars, and pole saddles under each side pole; separate legs each associated with vide a space for the end yof a stretcher bar, a

bolt passing through the pole, the saddle and said horizontal portion and forming a pivot for ythe stretcher bar and connecting means for the leg and saddle, a cylindrical spacer element surrounding said bolt and engaging the top and bottom walls of said space, said stretcher bar having an opening therein fitting said spacer element, and interlocking coacting means on the saddle and leg holding the leg against rotation with respect to the saddle on said-bolt.

8. In a folding litter having fabric connected side poles, stretcher bars, and pole saddles under each side pole; separate legs each associated with a saddle and consisting of a length of bar metal of uniform cross-sectional dimension bent to provide an arcuate ground engaging portion, a lower horizontal portion and an upper horizontal portion spaced above the lower horizontal portion to provide a stretcher bar end receiving space, said upper horizontal portion engaging the bottom of a saddle, said saddle having a channel on its under side receiving said upper horizontal portion, and a bolt passing through the pole, the saddle and said horizontal portions to hold the leg, saddle and pole together and to constitute a pivot for the stretcher bar.

9. In a folding litter having fabric connected side poles, stretcher bars, and pole saddles under each side pole; separate legs each associated with a saddle and consisting of a length of bar metal of uniform cross-sectional dimension bent to provide an arcuate ground engaging portion, a lower horizontal portion and an upper horizontal portion spaced above the lower horizontal portion to provide a stretcher bar end receiving space, said upper horizontal portion engaging the bottom of a saddle, a bolt passing through the pole, the saddle and said horizontal portions to hold the leg, saddle, the stretcher bar end and pole together and to constitute a pivot for the stretcher bar, and a cylindrical spacer element surrounding said bolt and engaging the top and bottom walls of said space, said stretcher bar having an opening therein fitting said spacer element.

10. In a folding litter having fabric connected side poles, stretcher bars, and pole saddles under each side pole; separate legs each associated with a saddle and consisting of a length of bar metal of uniform cross-sectional dimension bent to provide an arcuate ground engaging portion, a lower horizontal portion and an upper horizontal portion spaced above the lower horizontal portion to provide a stretcher bar end receiving space, said upper horizontal portion engaging the bottom of a saddle, a bolt passing through the pole, the saddle and said horizontal portions to hold the leg, saddle and pole together and to constitute a pivot for the stretcher bar, a cylindrical spacer element surrounding said bolt and engaging the top and bottom wallsfof said space, said stretcher bar having an opening therein fitting said spacer element, and means on said saddle engaging the sides of the upper horizontal portion of the leg and holding the latter against rotation on the bolt with respect to said saddle.

11. In a folding litter having side poles connected by flexible material and legs secured beneath said poles; stretcher bar constructions connecting the legs of one pole with the legs of the other and each including a pair of struts and means pivotally connecting adjacent ends of said struts, the remote ends of said struts being pivotally connected to said legs, each of said struts having a pivot receiving hole adjacent each end, at least one hole of each strut being elongated in the direction of the length of the strut, and an insert for each elongated hole formed to fit a selected end of the hole to leave a cylindrical pivot receiving space between the insert and the opposite end of the hole.

l2. In a folding litter, a leg member consisting of a single length of strap material having a portion extending from one end provided with a part extending horizontally to flt against a pole saddle and having a part inclined downwardly from the first part away from said end, said strap material having a second portion extending from the other end below and parallel to said first part, the extremity of the last mentioned portion engaging the underside of the rst portion and holding said second portion from upward movement, said leg having a ground engaging portion and side portionsV connecting ilrst portion and holding the second portion against upward movement, said leg having a ground engaging portion and side portions connecting the ends of the ground engaging portion 5 respectively to said rst and s'eoond portions.

SAMUEL G. THOMSON.

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