GB2475744A

GB2475744A - Stretcher

Info

Publication number: GB2475744A
Application number: GB0921041A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Mark Edmondson
Original assignee: LYON EQUIPMENT Ltd
Current assignee: LYON EQUIPMENT Ltd
Priority date: 2009-11-30
Filing date: 2009-11-30
Publication date: 2011-06-01
Also published as: GB0921041D0

Abstract

A stretcher, suitable for the transport of an injured person, comprises a body support portion 1 and a leg support section 13, the leg support section being selectively configurable between an inoperative position (figure 2) wherein the person is able to lie flat and an operative position (figure 3) wherein said leg support section 13 is disposed at an angle to said body support portion 1 lifting the legs of the person towards a sitting position. The leg support portion 13 is able to maintain the in use configuration by means of adjustable straps 8. Handles 15 may be provided along the sides and at the head to assist in carrying. Adjustable straps 2, 4 are provided to secure the patient. A lifting bridle 9, 10 may be provided to allow the stretcher to be suspended from a rope or similar.

Description

Emergency Stretcher The invention relates to an emergency stretcher.

Emergency stretchers, back boards, spine boards, litters or other casualty transport devices (collectively referred to hereinafter as stretcher) for the rescue or evacuation of an injured person are known. Such stretchers are often used to evacuate an injured person from a particularly constricted or confined space and as such are streamlined to fit the casualty as closely as possible so as not to increase the physical size and therefore hinder the evacuation. In order to keep the size as small as possible some stretchers do not enclose the entire body, giving the added advantage of reducing storage space when not in use. Stretchers also often have the facility to be lifted by a rope or winch etc. Existing designs often cover only the torso and head of the casualty leaving the legs, and sometimes additionally the arms, free and unrestrained. Such short' stretchers are easier to manoeuvre around corners and allow the casualty to lie flat but only offer limited support when the casualty's legs are unsupported by the ground etc such as when the stretcher is being lifted.

This lack of support leads to increased discomfort for the casualty and can exacerbate medical conditions and injuries. In some cases this lack of support can require transfer of the casualty to another type of stretcher which delays the evacuation, requires additional equipment and can further increase discomfort for the casualty Other designs form a seat which is close fitting, requires less storage space and provides better support when being lifted or in other situations when the legs are not supported by the ground.

However, these do not allow the casualty to lie flat and so cause problems when the casualty needs to be moved through a constricted area such as a tube or pipe.

The invention seeks to solve these problems by providing a short stretcher which allows the casualty to lie flat but also gives increased support when suspended.

According to the present invention there is provided a stretcher to support a person comprising a body support portion to substantially support at least the torso and a leg section to substantially support at least the upper legs, said leg section being selectively configurable between an inoperative position wherein said leg section is substantially parallel to said body section and an operative position wherein said leg section is at an angle to said body section. S...

Preferably the stretcher provides a plurality of straps to secure the casualty.

IS....

* * Preferably said straps comprise a harness.

* * Preferably the stretcher provides attachment means for connection to a suspension system.

: A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, and with * reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of the stretcher when laid flat.

* . Figure 2 is a side view of the stretcher with the leg section in the inoperative position and the * lifting bridle attached.

Figure 3 is a side view of the stretcher with the leg section in the operative position.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a flexible sheet (1) for passing around the torso, arms and head of the casualty, provided with a strap (2) incorporating releasable adjustment means (3) said strap being positioned to pass substantially across the chest of the casualty. Straps (4) incorporating releasable adjustment means (5) are also provided for passing around the legs of the casualty. When the casualty is placed in the stretcher and straps (2) and (4) are tightened the sides of the sheet (1) fold up until they are substantially perpendicular with respect to the middle of the sheet. This fold gives the stretcher some rigidity along its length and helps to protect the casualty from physical impact. Handles (15) are provided along the sides and at the head of the stretcher to assist in carrying.

Straps (7) incorporating releasable adjustment means (8) are provided between the main body of the sheet (1) and the leg support section (13). When said straps (7)are slack or released said leg support section (13) is substantially parallel to the main body of sheet (1) allowing the legs of the casualty to lie flat and in line with the torso. When straps (7) are under tension said leg support section (13) is raised at an angle to said main body of sheet (1) lifting the legs of the casualty towards a sitting position. A substantially rigid member may be provided beneath said leg support flap to provide increased support to the casualty's legs.

Attachment points (6) are provided to allow the stretcher to be connected to a suspension system (rope, cable, winch etc). Connection to the suspension system may be direct to said attachment points (6) or via a bridle. Said bridle comprising two strap members (9) with the proximal ends being releasably connected to the seat end of the stretcher and strap members (10) incorporating adjustment means (11) with the proximal ends being releasably connected to the head end of the stretcher. Said strap members are joined at their distal ends by a closed ring like member (12).

The stretcher being attached to the suspension system via said closed ring like member (12).

When not in use the stretcher may be rolled up for storage or transport.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the stretcher is provided of substantially rigid material with the leg support section being pivotally mounted upon the main body. *S.* * * *.*.

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Claims

Claims 1 A stretcher to support a person comprising a body support portion to substantially SUpport at least the torso and a leg section to substantially SUpport at least the upper legs, said leg section being selectively configurable between an inoperative position wherein said leg section is substantially parallel to said body section allowing the persons legs to lie flat and in line with the torso and an operative position wherein said leg section is at an angle to said body section lifting the legs of the person towards a sitting position.
2. A stretcher according to claim I wherein said body support portion is provided with handles.
3. A stretcher according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the stretcher is provided with at least one strap to secure the person thereto.
4. A stretcher according to claim 3 wherein said at least one strap forms a harness, said harness being sufficient to support the person independently of the stretcher.

5. A stretcher according to claim 3 or 4 wherein said at least one strap is provided with releasable adjustment means.
5. A stretcher according to any preceding claim wherein said leg support section is selectively configurable between the operative position and the inoperative position and any angle therebetweefl. ????Angle of operative position???
6. A stretcher according to any preceding claim wherein said leg support section may be released such that it is free to move relative to said body support portion.
7. A stretcher according to any preceding claim wherein attachment points are provided for the connection of a lifting bridle.
8. A stretcher according to claim 7 wherein said lifting bridle contains adjustment means such that the angle of the stretcher relative to the ground may be adjusted when suspended. S., * *S
9. A stretcher according to any preceding claim wherein the body of said stretcher substantially * comprises a sheet of flexible material.

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1O.A stretcher according to claim 9 wherein said flexible material allows said leg section to move relative to said body support portion.

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11. A stretcher according to claim 9 wherein said flexible material allows the stretcher to fold partially around the person providing protection from physical contact.

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12. A stretcher according to claims 9 to 11 wherein the stretcher may be rolled up for * * transportation or storage.
13. A stretcher according to claims ito 8 wherein said stretcher is substantially rigid and said leg section is pivotally mounted upon said body support portion.
14. A stretcher substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.-SAmendments to the claims have been filed as follows: 1. A stretcher to support a person comprising a body support portion to substantially support at least the torso and a leg section to substantially support at least the upper legs, said leg section being selectively configurable between an inoperative position wherein said leg section is substantially parallel to said body section allowing the persons legs to lie flat and in line with the torso and an operative position wherein said leg section is at an angle to said body section lifting the legs of the person towards a sitting position.2. A stretcher according to claim 1 wherein said body support portion is provided with handles.3. A stretcher according to claim I or 2 wherein the stretcher is provided with at least one strap to secure to person thereto.4. A stretcher according to claim 3 wherein said at least one strap forms a harness, said harness being sufficient to support the person independently of the stretcher.5. A stretcher according to claim 3 or 4 wherein said at least one strap is provided with releasable adjustment means.6. A stretcher according to any preceding claim wherein the angle of said leg support section is adjustable when in the operative position.7. A stretcher according to any preceding claim wherein said leg support section may be released such that it is free to move relative to said body support portion.8. A stretcher according to any preceding claim wherein attachment points are provided for the connection of a lifting bridle.9. A stretcher according to claim 8 wherein said lifting bridle contains adjustment means such that the angle of the stretcher relative to the ground may be adjusted when suspended.10. A stretcher according to any preceding claim wherein the body support portion of said stretcher substantially comprises a sheet of flexible material.11.A stretcher according to claim 10 wherein said flexible material allows said leg section to move relative to said body support portion.12. A stretcher according to claim 10 wherein said flexible material allows the stretcher to fold partially around the person providing protection from physical contact.13. A stretcher according to claims 10 to 12 wherein the stretcher may be rolled up for transportation or storage.14. A stretcher according to claims 1 to 9 wherein said stretcher is substantially rigid and said leg section is pivotally mounted upon said body support portion.
15. A stretcher substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.S S S...