GB1584102A

GB1584102A - Restraint enabling rescue of beridden patients

Info

Publication number: GB1584102A
Application number: GB1934777A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1977-05-09
Filing date: 1977-05-09
Publication date: 1981-02-04

Description

(54) IMPROVED RESTRAINT ENABLING RESCUE OF BEDRIDDEN PATIENTS (71) We, FRANK GABRIEL, AND JOHN EDWARD HOPE, respectively of 111 Park Crescent. Williamstown, and 48, Lucerne Crescent, Alphington. Victoria, Australia, both Australian citizens, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us. and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to an improved body harness or restraint and in particular to a restraint that is to be used with bedridden people.

In manv hospitals. old persons homes and other multiple storey buildings having bedridden persons. there is, on behalf of the owners. patients. management and authorpities a fear of fire or natural disaster.

Persons who are bedridden are difficult to move rapidly, particularly if such movement necessitates moving the person downstairs.

If the stairs are narrow the problem is multiplied as it is not simple for two people carrving the person to be one on either side of the person in confined spaces.

It is the object of the invention to provide a means whereby a bedridden person can readily and quickly be moved from his or her bed should this become necessary.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a body harness or restrain ing means adapted to be disposed beneath a mattress on a bed and being operable to deform said mattress whereby to cocoon an occupant thereof. and to allow for ready transport of said occupant. said harness including at least two transverse flexible bonds to be passed beneath said mattress and over the occupant thereof. at least two longitudinal flexible bands each connected to each of said transverse bands and located in use substantially longitudinallv of said mattress so as to be capable of extending from each end thereof whereby to allow for handling thereof, the longuitudinally located bands being spaced so as to be close to each side of a person lying centrally of the mattress and means for connection and adjustment of said transverse bands whereby to allow for formation by the mattress of a cocoon about said occupant.

British Patent Specification No. 1198175 describes a rescue sling which is somewhat similar to the harness or restraint of the present invention. This has a pair of longitudinally-extending straps and a pair of spaced transverse straps for encircling a patients body. In this case, however, the longitudinal straps are arranged close together so that they can easily pass between the legs of a person who is being rescued.

In one particular form of the invention, the restraint comprises three transverse members each of which is connected to each longitudinal member, the transverse members being provided with connector members whereby. when the occupant of the bed is to be moved rapidlv. the ends of the transverse members can be connected to each other, the members can be thightened and the occupant moved.

Preferablv the longitudinal straps are provided with loops or the like at each end whereby a person or persons moving the restrained person can carry them. Further, and should it become necessary. these loops can be connected to ropes or the like so that the restrained person can be safely lowered from a window.

In order that the invention may be more readilv understood. we shall describe in relation to the accompanying drawings one particular form of the invention.

In the drawings:- Figure I shows a bed frame having a restraint of the invention lying thereon: Figure 2 is a plan view of the restraint, when extended. showing in chain dash. the location of a mattress: Figure 3 is sectional view of a mattress showing the location of the restraint when not used; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but with the restraint in operation; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a patient cocooned by the restraint and mattress; Figure ó shows one form of connector member; and Figure 7 shows an alternative form of connector member.

The restraint 1() may be made of webbing of the type conventionally used for restraining devices such as car seat belts. This is a webbing which is very often of Terylene (Registered Trade Mark) and conventionally may be 5 cm wide. I provide two longitudinal bands or members 11, 12 which can each be some 21/2 to 3 m long and each of which is formed with a loop 13 at each end.

These longitudinal members are connected to transverse bands or members 14.

15, 16 in such a way that the longitudinal members are spaced by some 3() to 50 cm.

Each transverse member is of a length to be able to easily encircle the mattress 17 with which the restraint is to be used. I prefer to provide the transverse members 14. 15, 16 with one "short" end 14'. 15'. 1(' and one "long end 14". 15". 16". the short and long end relating to the length of the transverse mcml,cr which extends from its connection to the adjacent longitudinal member 11 or 12.

The transverse members are provided with means whereby the opposite ends of each membel- can be inter-connected. which means | must also include a length adjust- ment so that the transverse members can quickly and readilv be effectivelv shortened around the patient as is described hereinaf- ter, and which when so shortened will not slip or become released until some positive action is taken We will describe three forms of connector members which are satisfactorv and of which two are illustrated Figurcs 6 and 7.

but it is to be understood that many other forms of connection could also be used.

The first form is that illustrated on the restraint of Figures 1 to 5 and in Figure 6.

In this form the short end 14' is provided with a buckle 18 and the long end. 14" is provided with a simply formed end. The buckle 18 has an open body portion 19 and a moveable lock member 2().

When these two buckles are to be tight cned it is onlv necessary to thrcad the member 14" through thc buckle 18 'is illustrated by the arrows. thit is underneath the buckle up behind the moveable lock member over this and down through the open body portion. the free end 21 of the portion 14" can then he simplv grnsl'cd and pulled tight which pulling causes the end 14" to move through the buckle.When the free end 21 is released, however, the moveable lock member is pulled forwardly and prevents any slipping of the end 14" relative to the buckle.

In order to release the restraint it is necessary to move the moveable lock member rearwardly which will permit the end 14" to slip through the buckle until it can be removed.

In the second connecting means, as illustrated in Figure 7 a connector member 22 has a spring loaded tongue 23 which can engage with a portion of another member 24. As illustrated member 24 is provided with a slot 25 at one end which opens into an aperture 26 and the other member 22 is moulded with the integral tongue 23 which extends from the surface thereof but which is free from the remainder on three sides so that it is resiliently deformable. The tongue 23 is located in a position adapted to be received in the slot 25 of the other member 24 and is deformable in such a way that it can be forced into the slot 25, is deformed whilst passing through the slot and can return to its initial condition when the two connector members are fully engaged, thereby preventing separation of the two members, without manual deformation of the tongue.

In this form of device. we prefer to provide a second aperture 27 in the member 24 and in this aperture locate a moveable rod or roller to give a locking action whereby the free end 28 of the webbing or similar material associated therewith can be pulled in one direction but is restrained from movement in the other direction unless the rod or roller is physically displaced.

In another form of connector useable with mv invention. one connecting member half is a metal plate having an aperture therethrough and the other half may be a plastics moulding which is so formed as to be able to pass through the aperture in the metal plate, when the moulding is correctlv oriented thereto but which is restrained by the aperture surround when it has been passed through the aperture and the strap connected thercto is in substantially the same plane as the part of the transverse member to which the metal connector member is attached. The plastics connector half has means whereby the effective length of the transverse member can be varied. These means normally comprise a rod or roller which is moveable along a slot so that when the webbing or other material is being pulled in one direction. the roller is moved awav from the side of the slot and there is no restriction to the movement of the material but when tension is applied to the material the roller moves across the slot and acts as a bar to reverse movement of the material.

This arrangement is such that the two connector halves can be inter-connected at which time they cannot move separately, one relative to the other, and simply by drawing on the free end of the transverse member so that the effective length of the transverse member is shortened and will tend to draw up and tighten relative to the mattress and finally the mattress will tend to be drawn up so as to cocoon the occupant of the bed.

It would also be possible to use a conventional buckle on one side of the transverse members but we prefer not to do this as it is generally slower to do up and locate a buckle than by using some form of connecting means which gives no restriction of movement in one direction.

As described previously in the illustrated embodiment there are three transverse members, 14, 15, and 16 located along the length of the longitudinal members 11, 12 and preferably two of these 14, 15 are relatively close, say a metre apart and the third, 16 is spaced by up to a metre. The arrangement is such so that when the restraint is located the two members 14, 15 tend to be located over the chest and hips of the patient whereas the spaced member 16 tends to be located over the lower legs of the patient.

The inter-connection of the longitudinal and transverse members may be any required manner. If required they may be sewn and this would be the most conventional way in which to inter-connect the members.

For cheapness, however, we find that it is possible to adhesively secure the members and modern adhesives give an extremely good bond. It will be appreciated that there would normally be little strain on this bond as when the transverse members are tight ened about a mattress thereby cocooning a patient, they themselves are in tension and apply no load to the longitudinal members and, provided the longitudinal members are located above the transverse members when a patient is to be moved by manipulation of the longitudinal members. these tend to react against the mattress rather than the transverse members. In fact. the condition of the transverse members tend to hold the longitudinal members hard against the underside of the mattress so again, the load between the longitudinal members and transverse members is minimized.

Alternatively, the connection may be by means of metal clips of types which are conventional in connecting straps, particularly straps used in the packing industry.

These connectors may be of one or two piece construction.

Alternatively. the longitudinal and transverse members could be connected by rivetting or stapling. As explained previously, the load transmitted between the members is not great.

In operation the restraint is located on the wire mattress or bed base and normally the ends of the longitudinal members and transverse members are turned inwardly so that the whole of the restraint lies within the area of the wire mattress or base. The mattress which, in hospital conditions, is normally a rubber mattress having an overlay and cover but which may be hair and in other circumstances may well be inner-spring, is located on the base and the restraint is not visible.

Should it be necessary to evacuate the hospital or other area in which the bed is located, it is only necessary for a nurse or some other person to lift the edges of the mattress and withdraw the ends of the transverse and longitudinal members, pass the longer ends of the transverse members over the bed and engage the ends of the transverse members. After this engagement, depending on the type of connecting means being used, the free ends of the transverse members are effectively shortened.

In each of the preferred embodiments, the free end passes through an aperture and over a roller or the like which causes it to lock, the free end is simply pulled and when pressure is released the members remain fixed. The pressure is applied to the free ends until, firstly, the transverse members are relatively tight and then. on further pressure being applied, the sides of the mattress are folded upwardly and on completion of this folding the patient is cocooned.

It may well be necessary, where one person is operating the restraint that they have to move the various connector members alternately until the required cocooning is achieved.

When the transverse members have been sufficiently tightened if there are two persons available they can each take one pair of longitudinal members, slide the mattress sideways relative to the bed and the patient can then be carried. In this way it is relatively simple to manouvre a patient and in particular it is possible to carry the patient downstairs relatively easily. Even if the persons manipulating the patient cannot carry the patient easily. he can be slid downstairs whilst a substantial part of his weight is being carried by the persons manipulating them.

Because the patient is cocooned in the mattress any aggravation of any injury they may possess is minimized by the use of the restraint of the invention.

In this specification we have described one particular form of material from which the members of the restraint can be made.

Instead of using a web of Terylene (Registered Trade Mark) or similar material it is possible to use other materials conventionally available such as an epoxy coated fibreglass or woven or extruded nylon.

Other materials such as cotton webs could also be used. As the restraint is normally only required on very rare occasions the main criteria for selecting the material to form the members are strength and cost. It will be appreciated that many materials would have sufficient strength as the total weight carried would seldom be substantially more than 1()() kg. Thus, the major criteria becomes price as it would be desirable to persuade various institutions to provide restraints of the invention on all beds.

In the embodiment described, we indicated that there were three transverse members. It is also readily possible to provide a restraint which has two substantially diagonal members, one which passes from adjacent one of the patient's shoulder on one side to adjacent his feet on the other side and the second passing from adjacent the other shoulder to the other side of the feet. Such an arrangement, although satisfactory. is not considered to be as satisfactory as the form previously described in that the forces acting on the diagonal members do not act so positively to wrap the mattress around the patient and thus cocoon the patient.

Nevertheless, there may be occasions when such an arrangement is preferable.

Wl IAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A body harness or restraining means adapted to be disposed beneath a mattress on a bed and being operable to deform said mattress whereby to cocoon an occupant thereof, and to allow for readv transport of said occupant, said harness including at least two transverse flexible bands to be passed beneath said mattress and over the occupant thereof, at least two longitudinal flexible bands each connected to each of said transverse bands and located in use substantially longitudinally of said mattress so as to be capable of extending from each end thereof whereby to allow for handling thereof. the longitudinally located bands being spaced so as to he close to each side of an adult person lying centrally of the mattress and means for connection and adjustment of said transverse bands whereby to allow for formation by the mattress of a cocoon about said occupant.

2. The body harness as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are provided three transverse members.

3. The body harness as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each substantially longitudinal l band 1 is formed with a loop at each end thereof, said loop being of a size to receive a hand whereby to facilitate movement of the cocooned occupant.

4. The body harness as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each transverse band is located above each further longitudinal band.

5. The body harness as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein wherein any two bands overlap they are sewn together.

6. The body harness as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each end of each band which is to be connected and adjusted has a connector member thereon, said connector members being engageable.

7. The body harness as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein one end of one of the bands to be connected has a connector member adapted to receive the other end of the member which can be freely drawn through in one direction.

8. A body harness, substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. the members of the restraint can be made. Instead of using a web of Terylene (Registered Trade Mark) or similar material it is possible to use other materials conventionally available such as an epoxy coated fibreglass or woven or extruded nylon. Other materials such as cotton webs could also be used. As the restraint is normally only required on very rare occasions the main criteria for selecting the material to form the members are strength and cost. It will be appreciated that many materials would have sufficient strength as the total weight carried would seldom be substantially more than 1()() kg. Thus, the major criteria becomes price as it would be desirable to persuade various institutions to provide restraints of the invention on all beds. In the embodiment described, we indicated that there were three transverse members. It is also readily possible to provide a restraint which has two substantially diagonal members, one which passes from adjacent one of the patient's shoulder on one side to adjacent his feet on the other side and the second passing from adjacent the other shoulder to the other side of the feet. Such an arrangement, although satisfactory. is not considered to be as satisfactory as the form previously described in that the forces acting on the diagonal members do not act so positively to wrap the mattress around the patient and thus cocoon the patient. Nevertheless, there may be occasions when such an arrangement is preferable. Wl IAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A body harness or restraining means adapted to be disposed beneath a mattress on a bed and being operable to deform said mattress whereby to cocoon an occupant thereof, and to allow for readv transport of said occupant, said harness including at least two transverse flexible bands to be passed beneath said mattress and over the occupant thereof, at least two longitudinal flexible bands each connected to each of said transverse bands and located in use substantially longitudinally of said mattress so as to be capable of extending from each end thereof whereby to allow for handling thereof. the longitudinally located bands being spaced so as to he close to each side of an adult person lying centrally of the mattress and means for connection and adjustment of said transverse bands whereby to allow for formation by the mattress of a cocoon about said occupant.