CA2472551C - Mud rescue stick - Google Patents

Mud rescue stick Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2472551C
CA2472551C CA 2472551 CA2472551A CA2472551C CA 2472551 C CA2472551 C CA 2472551C CA 2472551 CA2472551 CA 2472551 CA 2472551 A CA2472551 A CA 2472551A CA 2472551 C CA2472551 C CA 2472551C
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Canada
Prior art keywords
air
end portion
passage
mud
person
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Expired - Fee Related
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CA 2472551
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French (fr)
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CA2472551A1 (en
Inventor
Jeffrey R. Pinkney
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
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Priority to CA 2472551 priority Critical patent/CA2472551C/en
Publication of CA2472551A1 publication Critical patent/CA2472551A1/en
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Publication of CA2472551C publication Critical patent/CA2472551C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62BDEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B33/00Devices for allowing seemingly-dead persons to escape or draw attention; Breathing apparatus for accidentally buried persons

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Lowering Means (AREA)

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an emergency mud-rescue device, comprising shaft means having an internal air passage and a first end portion, the first end portion having an air flow exit passage in communication with the internal air passage, air supply means for providing a flow of compressed air in the internal air passage to exit the air flow exit passage, the device being operable to locate the first end portion below a person, animal or object in a stuck position in a reservoir of mud or materials of similar consistency thereto, the air supply means being operable to provide sufficient air through the air flow exit passage to break the vapour lock and allowing the said person, animal or object to be released from the reservoir.

Description

MUD RESCUE STICK
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention pertains generally to the field of emergency rescue. More specifically, the invention is for freeing objects, animals or persons stuck in mud.
Being stuck in mud can and does happen anywhere.
Traditionally, emergency personnel dig and pull to enact a mud rescue.
Problems with this current method include: mud flowing back faster than can be cleared; the threat of hypothermia or drowning; and injury to limbs and joints when a victim is pulled hard enough to be disengaged. As well, a rescue with the 'mud-rescue stick' takes minutes instead of what can be a long, time sensitive and laborious process of digging or tugging.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one of its aspects, there is provided an emergency mud-rescue device, comprising shaft means having an internal air passage and a first end portion, the first end portion having an air flow exit passage in communication with the internal air passage, air supply means for providing a flow of compressed air in the internal air passage to exit the air flow exit passage, the device being operable to locate the first end portion below a person, animal or object in a stuck position in a reservoir of mud or materials of similar consistency thereto, the air supply means being operable to provide sufficient air through the air flow exit passage to break the vapour lock and allowing the said person, animal or object to be released from the reservoir.
In an embodiment, the reservoir is a mud bog.

In an embodiment, said shaft means is fabricated from a non-electricity conducting, reinforced fibreglass/Kevlar or similar composite material.
In an embodiment, said shaft includes a second end portion, the air supply means includes an air supply device mounted on the second end portion.
In an embodiment, said second end portion includes valve means for establishing communication between the internal air passage and the air supply means.
In an embodiment, the air supply means is a portable air compressor unit, or an air hose joined to a fixed compressed air supply network.
In an embodiment, said device includes an air tube or passage connecting the compressed air supply down the length of the shaft and through the air outlet nozzle.
In an embodiment, the first end portion includes a hair-pin curved section, wherein the air flow exit passage is oriented upwardly to expel compressed air upward toward the stuck person, animal or object.
In an embodiment, said device embodies a "v" shaped opening above the air flow exist passage which allows the upward flow of forced air to be evenly spread to both sides of the device.
In an embodiment, the first end portion is tapered, and/or shovel shaped for ease of penetration into mud and associated debris in the reservoir to be positioned under a rescue victim.
In an embodiment, the first end portion is hook-like in shape and operable to be positioned securely under a stuck person, animal or object as an aid to position the air flow, to prevent the victim from further sinking into the mud, to help in the pulling up and guiding out of the stuck position.
In another of its aspects, the present invention provides a method for rescuing a person, animal or object in a stuck position in a reservoir of mud or materials of similar consistency thereto, comprising the steps of:
providing a shaft with an internal air passage and a first end portion, the first end portion having an air flow exit passage in communication with the internal air passage, and air supply unit for providing a flow of compressed air in the internal air passage to exit the air flow exit passage, locating the device with the first end portion below a person, animal or object in a stuck position in a reservoir of mud or materials of similar consistency thereto, and operating the air supply to provide sufficient air through the air flow exit passage to break the vapour lock and allowing the said person, animal or object to be released from the reservoir.
In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of withdrawing the person, animal or object form the reservoir.
In an embodiment, the reservoir is a mud bog.
In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of fabricating the shaft from a non-electricity conducting, reinforced fibreglass/Kevlar or similar composite material.
In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of providing the shaft with a second end portion and mounting the air supply device on the second end portion.
In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of providing a valve unit on the second end portion for establishing communication between the internal air passage and the air supply unit.
In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of joining a portable air compressor unit, or an air hose joined to a fixed compressed air supply network to the valve unit.
In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of providing the first end portion with a hair-pin curved section, and orienting the air flow exit passage is oriented upwardly to expel compressed air upward toward the stuck person, animal or object.
In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of providing a "v"
shaped opening above the air flow exist passage to allow for an upward flow of forced air to be evenly spread to both sides of the device.
In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of arranging the first end portion to be tapered and/or shovel shaped, penetrating the mud and associated debris in the reservoir with the first end portion, positioning the first end portion beneath the stuck person, animal or object.
In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of forming the first end portion in a hook-like shape, positioning the first end portion securely under a stuck person, animal or object, as an aid to position the air flow, to prevent the victim from further sinking into the mud, and to help in the pulling up and guiding out of the stuck position.
Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a three-dimensional drawing of the complete unit.
Fig. 2 is a two-dimensional view of front, side and top.
Fig. 3 is a cut-away side view, showing internal workings and flow of air as it is forced through the unit.
Fig. 4 is a drawing of the sheath used to cover the air exit nozzle.
Fig. 5 is a conceptual drawing of the unit in use at a mud rescue.
Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment This device is designed to track against the person, animal or object stuck, become positioned below, like a hook, and to pump air up from below the mired victim. The pumped air breaks the vapour lock, and helps move the person upward and allows the person to be easily pulled up and out or to pull themselves up and out of the stuck or vapour-locked position.
The Mud-Stick is a life saving device. The most likely users of this device are emergency rescue teams such as fire departments and paramedics. There is no such device available today to emergency rescue crews. Given the type of emergency that sees a victim stuck in the mud, emergency crews have traditionally been left to their own creativity, usually resorting to a combination of pulling and digging and shoring.
As seen in Figure 1:
~ The unit's length is 6'. It must be long enough to be positioned just below the vapour-locked (stuck) person, animal or object.
~ It may be beneficial to design the unit with a telescopic length. This would allow for ease of storage on an emergency vehicle and would allow customized length for each rescue situation.
~ The thickness and strength of the unit will be approximately that of a hockey stick. It must withstand rocks and debris and a great deal of force as it is positioned at a rescue site.
~ The unit must withstand great force as it will need to be pushed roughly into mud and dirt, which will often be full of rocks and debris. The unit must withstand being roughly positioned and pried to gain position under the person, animal or object stuck in the mud.
~ The unit must also act as a physical hook and have the appropriate strength to tug heavy objects through the mud and debris.
~ As are hockey sticks - the suggested material is fibreglass/Kevlar or similar composite.
The unit should not be constructed of materials that conduct electricity, as this could be a hazard at the rescue location.

~ The 'hook-end' has a curved edge to smoothly and safely "track" along the mired person so the rescuer can feel when hooked underneath and so as not to cause pain trauma or injury during its use.
~ Just above the air nozzle opening the unit is "V" shaped to evenly spread the expelled air to both sides of the unit.
As seen in Figure 2:
1. Handle for manual air pump (like a bicycle pump).
2. Top mounted pulling and guiding handle for adjusting and steadying the unit and for pulling up on unit during rescue.
3. Connector (as on a car tire) to auxiliary air pump, manual or automatic.
4. Air pump canister built into top of unit.
S. Side mounted pulling and guiding handle, quickly adjustable along the length of the shaft depending upon the needs of each rescue effort.
6. Adjustment bolt and wing nut or knob for loosening and tightening adjustable handle.
7. Shaft of unit. Size and strength like that of a hockey stick. Unit length is 6 feet. The shaft can be a one-piece construction or it can be telescopic.
8. Bottom or 'Hook-end': The length of flat portion is 4 inches, which is designed to fit snugly under a person's foot or boot. The flat section is set on a 20-degree angle to help direct hooking action toward the shaft and to hold mired victim securely.
9. Rounded edge to protect against catching on or scratching mired victim.
10. Rounded and smooth edge used for tracking against person or animal or object mired in the mud - helps steer the downward motion to gain proper position for the rescue effort.
11. Open space to allow airflow to spread evenly to both sides of the unit with a "v" shaped opening above the air nozzle which allows the upward flow of forced air to be evenly spread to both sides of the device.
12. Air outlet nozzle. Forced air travels through the shaft and is expelled upwards through the nozzle.
13. The 'hook-end' is tapered like a shovel to aid in pushing through tough mud full of potential debris and obstacles.

As seen in Figure 3:
This 'cut-away' view shows the internal workings and the airflow through the unit:
1. Built in air plunger and canister unit, as used for a standard bicycle air pump. The air is forced into the shaft tube and down the shaft to the air nozzle.
2. Connector (as on a car tire) to auxiliary air pump, manual or automatic.
3. Shows the airflow tube inside the shaft.
4. Airflow does a hairpin turn and is expelled upwards, directly underneath the mired person or object. The air flows and bubbles upward, breaking the vapour lock.
As seen in Figure 4:
To prevent mud, water and debris from blocking the air nozzle, the end of a balloon is used as a sheath, once the unit is in place and the air is pumped, the sheath is popped off with the expelled air. A supply of sheaths (balloon tips) will be needed, one per rescue effort.
An Example of Intended Use As seen in Figure 5:
This drawing shows a mud rescue in progress. The rescue team member has used the side of the body of the mired victim to steer the Mud-Rescue Stick into the mud to a position just below the feet. One arm holds the unit steady while the other pumps air into the unit. The air pops off the protective sheath and air bubbles are forced upward from below the stuck person. The vapour lock is broken. The air makes the person buoyant instead of being held by the suction of the vapour lock. The person is now easily freed from the stuck position by either pulling themselves out or by being easily pulled/guided out by the emergency rescue team.
Thus, the present device on one example is in length and thickness like a hockey stick and of rugged durability so that it can be pushed into the mud to a position below and hooked under the victim. Once in position, air is pumped through the device and expelled upward. The air breaks the vapour lock, helps move the victim upward, and allows the victim to be easily pulled out. A
rescue takes minutes instead of what can be a long and laborious process of digging or tugging.
While the present invention has been described for what are presently considered the preferred embodiments, the invention is not so limited. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims (16)

1. An emergency mud-rescue device, comprising shaft means having an internal air passage and a first end portion, the first end portion having an air flow exit passage in communication with the internal air passage, air supply means for providing a flow of compressed air in the internal air passage to exit the air flow exit passage in an upwardly orientation, the device being operable to locate the first end portion below a person, animal or object in a stuck position in a reservoir of mud or materials of similar consistency thereto, the air supply means being operable to provide sufficient air through the air flow exit passage to break the vapour lock and allowing the person, animal or object to be released from the reservoir.
2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the reservoir is a mud bog.
3. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said shaft means is fabricated from a nonelectricity conducting, reinforced fibreglass/Kevlar or similar composite material.
4. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said shaft includes a second end portion, the air supply means includes an air supply device mounted on the second end portion.
5. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said second end portion includes valve means for establishing communication between the internal air passage and the air supply means.
6. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein the air supply means is a portable air compressor unit, or an air hose joined to a fixed compressed air supply network.
7. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the internal air passage includes an air tube or passage connecting the compressed air supply down the length of the shaft and through the air outlet nozzle.
8. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the first end portion includes a hair-pin curved section, wherein the air flow exit passage is oriented upwardly to expel compressed air upward toward the stuck person, animal or object.
9. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said device embodies a "v" shaped opening above the air flow exit passage which allows the upward flow of forced air to be evenly spread to both sides of the device.
10. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the first end portion is tapered, for ease of penetration into mud and associated debris in the reservoir to be positioned under a rescue victim.
11. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the first end portion is hook-like in shape and operable to be positioned securely under a stuck person, animal or object as an aid to position the air flow, to prevent the victim from further sinking into the mud, to help in the pulling up and guiding out of the stuck position.
12. A method for rescuing a person, animal or object in a stuck position in a reservoir of mud or materials of similar consistency thereto, comprising the steps of:

- providing a device having a shaft with an internal air passage and a first end portion, the first end portion having an air flow exit passage in communication with the internal air passage, and air supply unit for providing a flow of compressed air in the internal air passage to exit in an upwardly orientation the air flow exit passage, - locating the first end portion below a person, animal or object in a stuck position in a reservoir of mud or materials of similar consistency thereto, and - operating the air supply to provide sufficient air through the air flow exit passage to break the vapour lock.
13. A method as defined in claim 12, further comprising the step of withdrawing the person, animal or object from the reservoir, now that the vapour lock is broken.
14. A method as defined in claim 12, further comprising the step of joining a portable air compressor unit, or an air hose joined to a fixed compressed air supply network to the valve unit.
15. A method as defined in claim 12, further comprising the step of forming the first end portion in a hook-like shape, positioning the first end portion securely under a stuck person, animal or object, as an aid to position the air flow, to prevent the victim from further sinking into the mud, and to help in the pulling up and guiding out of the stuck position.
16. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the air flow exit passage is laterally spaced in relation to the shaft means.
CA 2472551 2004-07-07 2004-07-07 Mud rescue stick Expired - Fee Related CA2472551C (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2472551 CA2472551C (en) 2004-07-07 2004-07-07 Mud rescue stick

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2472551 CA2472551C (en) 2004-07-07 2004-07-07 Mud rescue stick

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CA2472551A1 CA2472551A1 (en) 2006-01-07
CA2472551C true CA2472551C (en) 2008-08-05

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Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102861395A (en) * 2012-10-08 2013-01-09 李干成 Mud sinking lifesaving salvation method and device
CN103893934A (en) * 2014-04-10 2014-07-02 常州大学 Life saving equipment for persons buried in deserts and swamps
CN105617571A (en) * 2015-12-31 2016-06-01 沈阳师范大学 Mud field rescue device

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