Tourniquet with lever tensioning mechanism

Abstract

A tourniquet includes: a baseplate with first and second ends; a strap having first and second ends, the strap having a first portion adjacent its first end, and a second portion adjacent its second end; a lever with proximate and distal ends, wherein the proximate end is pivotally connected to the baseplate, and the distal end is free; wherein the first end of the strap is pivotally connected to the lever intermediate to the proximal and distal ends; and a connector assembly operable to selectively connect the second portion of the strap to the baseplate, so as to form a closed loop, the connector assembly operable to permit a length of the closed loop to be adjusted.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tourniquet, comprising:
 a baseplate with first and second ends;   a strap having first and second ends, the strap having a first portion adjacent its first end, and a second portion adjacent its second end;   a lever with proximate and distal ends, wherein the proximate end is pivotally connected to the baseplate, and the distal end is free;   wherein the first end of the strap is pivotally connected to the lever intermediate to the proximal and distal ends; and   a connector assembly operable to selectively connect the second portion of the strap to the baseplate, so as to form a closed loop, the connector assembly operable to permit a length of the closed loop to be adjusted.   
     
     
         2 . The tourniquet of  claim 1  wherein the baseplate includes a strap guide, and the strap is engaged with the strap guide. 
     
     
         3 . The tourniquet of  claim 2  wherein the strap guide comprises a slot formed in the first end of the baseplate through which the first portion of the strap is threaded. 
     
     
         4 . The tourniquet of  claim 1  wherein the lever is movable between released and tightened positions, wherein a free length of the strap extending beyond the baseplate is shorter in the tightened position than in the released position. 
     
     
         5 . The tourniquet of  claim 1  wherein the second portion of the strap includes a releasable connector operable to selectively connect the second portion of the strap to the remainder of the strap. 
     
     
         6 . The tourniquet of  claim 1  wherein the connector assembly includes:
 a slot formed in the baseplate sized to receive the strap; and 
 a releasable connector disposed on the strap and operable to selectively connect the second portion of the strap to the remainder of the strap. 
 
     
     
         7 . The tourniquet of  claim 1  further comprising a locking mechanism operable to secure the lever in the tightened position. 
     
     
         8 . The tourniquet of  claim 1  further comprising a latch carried on the baseplate operable to engage the lever in the tightened position. 
     
     
         9 . The tourniquet of  claim 1  further comprising a lock tab carried at the distal end of the lever. 
     
     
         10 . The tourniquet of  claim 9  wherein the lock tab includes a releasable connector operable to selectively connect the lock tab to the strap. 
     
     
         11 . The tourniquet of  claim 1  wherein the baseplate includes a lever anchor comprising a closed loop of flexible material which surrounds a pivot element of the lever. 
     
     
         12 . The tourniquet of  claim 1  wherein the baseplate includes a lever anchor comprising a rigid U-shaped element which surrounds a pivot element of the lever. 
     
     
         13 . The tourniquet of  claim 1  wherein the lever comprises a pair of spaced-apart side rails interconnected by a plurality of crossbars. 
     
     
         14 . The tourniquet of  claim 1  wherein the baseplate has a concave curvature. 
     
     
         15 . The tourniquet of  claim 1  wherein distal ends of the baseplate are ramped towards the lever. 
     
     
         16 . The tourniquet of  claim 1  wherein a finger hole is formed in the second end of the strap. 
     
     
         17 . The tourniquet of  claim 1  wherein the strap comprises a plurality of spaced-apart flat sections configured to facilitate cutting. 
     
     
         18 . The tourniquet of  claim 1  wherein a counter-pull handle is disposed at the first end of the baseplate. 
     
     
         19 . The tourniquet of  claim 1  wherein:
 the baseplate includes an integral lever anchor disposed between the first and second ends of the baseplate, the lever anchor receiving the proximate end of the lever; and an integral resilient hook positioned at or near the second end of the baseplate; and 
 a ring sized to fit the hook is attached to the second portion of the strap. 
 
     
     
         20 . The tourniquet of  claim 19  wherein the lever anchor comprises a resilient flange shaped so as to define a transverse channel which captures a first pivot element of the lever.