Energy absorbing fastening system

Abstract

A fastening system includes an energy absorbing or impact indicator and at least one or more of the following: (1) a fastening base for mounting in an emergency vehicle, (2) a patient support engageable with a base, (3) a patient securement mechanism for securing a patient on a patient support, (4) a patient securement mechanism for securing a patient to a vehicle, (5) a patient support securement mechanism operable to secure a patient support in an emergency vehicle, or (6) a patient support securement mechanism operable to secure a patient support to a base, wherein the energy absorbing or impact indicator is located (1) at the patient securement mechanism, or (2) at the patient support securement mechanism, or wherein the energy absorbing or impact indicator is between (1) the base and the vehicle, (2) the patient support and the base, (3) the patient securement mechanism and the patient support, (4) the patient support and the emergency vehicle, (5) the patient and the emergency vehicle, or (6) the patient securement mechanism and the emergency vehicle, wherein the energy absorbing device or impact indicator has at least an energy absorbing state and a rigid state or indicates a level of impact at or between any of the respective component or components.

The embodiments of the invention in which we claim an exclusive property or privilege are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A fastening system for an emergency vehicle, the emergency vehicle having two components, the fastening system comprising:
 an impact indicator adapted for mounting in the emergency vehicle between the two components; and   said impact indicator including a deformable or crushable member, when said deformable or crushable member is subject to a force between the two components, said deformable or crushable member is configured to undergo deformation for indicating a level of impact at or between the two components.   
     
     
         2 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein when the deformable or crushable member is subject to a force between the two components, said deformable or crushable member is configured to undergo permanent deformation. 
     
     
         3 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein when the deformable or crushable member is subject to a force between the two components, said deformable or crushable member is configured to undergo elastic deformation. 
     
     
         4 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , further comprising the two components, said two components comprising:
 a fastening base for mounting in the emergency vehicle; and   a patient support engageable with said base, wherein said impact indicator is located between said base and said patient support.   
     
     
         5 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , further comprising the two components, said two components comprising:
 an emergency vehicle; and   a fastening base mounted in said emergency vehicle, wherein said impact indicator is located between said base and said emergency vehicle.   
     
     
         6 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , further comprising the two components, said two components comprising:
 a patient support for transporting a patient; and   an emergency vehicle, wherein said impact indicator is located between said patient support and said emergency vehicle.   
     
     
         7 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , further comprising the two components, said two components comprising:
 an emergency vehicle; and   a patient securement mechanism for securing a patient to said emergency vehicle, wherein said impact indicator is located between said patient securement mechanism and said emergency vehicle.   
     
     
         8 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , further comprising the two components, said two components comprising:
 a patient securement mechanism for securing a patient on a patient support; and   a patient support for transporting a patient, wherein said impact indicator is located between said patient securement mechanism and said patient support.   
     
     
         9 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein said impact indicator comprises at least one device selected from the group consisting of: a strain gauge, a piezoelectric crystal, an accelerometer, and a sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein said impact indicator comprises an impact indicator having a first state and a second state, said first state indicating no impact or an impact of a magnitude less than a designated magnitude of impact, and said second state indicative of an impact of a magnitude exceeding said designated magnitude of impact. 
     
     
         11 . A fastening system for an emergency vehicle, the emergency vehicle having two components, the fastening system comprising:
 an impact indicator adapted for mounting in the emergency vehicle between the two components,   said impact indicator includes a deformable or crushable member, when said deformable or crushable member is deformed or crushed to a defined degree of deformation or compaction, said defined deformation or compaction indicating when the magnitude of an impact exceeds a maximum acceptable magnitude of impact.   
     
     
         12 . The fastening system of  claim 11 , further comprising the two components between which said impact indicator is mounted, said two components are selected from the group consisting of: 1) a fastening base for mounting in the emergency vehicle, 2) a patient support for transporting a patient, 3) an emergency vehicle, 4) a patient securement mechanism for securing a patient to the emergency vehicle, and 5) a patient securement mechanism for securing a patient on a patient support. 
     
     
         13 . The fastening system of  claim 12 , wherein when the deformable or crushable member is subject to a force between the two components, said deformable or crushable member is configured to undergo permanent deformation. 
     
     
         14 . The fastening system of  claim 12 , wherein when the deformable or crushable member is subject to a force between the two components, said deformable or crushable member is configured to undergo elastic deformation. 
     
     
         15 . The fastening system of  claim 14 , wherein said impact indicator comprises at least one device selected from the group consisting of: a strain gauge, a piezoelectric crystal, an accelerometer, and a sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The fastening system of  claim 11 , wherein said impact indicator further includes a stop at said defined degree of deformation or compaction. 
     
     
         17 . The fastening system of  claim 11 , wherein said impact indicator has a first state and a second state, said first state indicating no impact or an impact of a magnitude less than a designated magnitude of impact, and said second state indicative of an impact of a magnitude exceeding said designated magnitude of impact. 
     
     
         18 . A method of indicating impact forces on an emergency vehicle, the emergency vehicle having two components, said method comprising:
 locating an impact indicator between the two components;   configuring the impact indicator to deform or crush to a predetermined level of impact at or between the two components during or after the impact; and   deforming or crushing the impact indicator when the deformable or crushable member is subject to a force between the two components.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the impact indicator elongates during impact. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the deforming or crushing of the impact indicator is a permanent deformation. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the deforming or crushing of the impact indicator is an elastic deformation.