GB2484310A

GB2484310A - Compact inflatable stretcher

Info

Publication number: GB2484310A
Application number: GB1016786.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Guy Patrick Wilson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-10-06
Filing date: 2010-10-06
Publication date: 2012-04-11
Also published as: GB201016786D0

Abstract

A stretcher comprises an inflatable frame 1.6 which surrounds a woven mesh base 1.5. A compressed gas canister 1.1 which is attached to the front side of the frame 1.6 can be triggered by pulling on a fixed cord to release pressured gas into the frame 1.6 transforming it into a rigid air cushion. The woven mesh base 1.5 of the stretcher becomes tighter upon inflation of the frame 1.6 providing firm support for the patient. An air valve 1.2 attached to the front side of the frame 1.6 allows for inflation or deflation of the stretcher upon exhausted use of the canister. Support is given by handles 1.3, 1.4 located at the top and base corners of the frame 1.6 allowing for the stretcher to assume a raised position from the ground. Once deflated the stretcher can be folded and rolled allowing for portable attachment to rescue or expedition equipment.

Description

for Compstretch

Background of the Invention

[1] This invention relates to a cPmpact stretcher for injured casualties and is particularly designed to be small in size, portable and easily assembled by inflation of the frame for the use of hikers, mountaineers, rescue services and the like. I [2] Compact stretchers are used primarily for the ease of transportation of casualties by rescue services. The apparatus is known in the art to be used in harsh environments such as confined spaces, stairs and rocky.

terrain where other methods of rescue cannot be utilised due to inaccessibility. Compact stretchers are known in the art to have mechanisms allowing them to be folded away and swiftly reassembled in emergency situations.

[3] For example, US3886606 to Bradford discloses a collapsible and portable carrier having a rectangular frame with two end and side members and a bed portion in the form of a flexibld sheet supported by the frame. Each side member comprises of tubular sections connected to the end of the next adjacent tubular section by means of a hinged joint.

[4] Furthermore, US3797051 to Evans discloses a foldable stretcher which includes a pair of u-shaped frame members connected together by a hinge to permit folding of the

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stretcher between a normal extended position and a folded position.

[S)Furtherniore, 1337043785 to D±mentmen discloses a foldable stretcher comprising a first pair of axially-alignable rigid longitudinal, members (12) each member(12) having an inner and outer extremkty (14) to its adjacent member (12) by a longitudinal linkage (20).

[6) Furthermore, 1336073287 to Svensson discloses a rescue device comprising of a first sheet member and two second sheet members that are disposed on each side of the first sheet member. The second sheet members are angled relative to the first sheet member to define an angle alpha. The rescue device has a plurality of carrying means to enabling the device to becarried. The first and second sheet members each has a stable first sheet arid a resilient and thermally insulating second sheet that has closed pores and a third sheet that is disposed adjacent to the second sheet.

[7] Pivot locking means are known in the art to be used as an element of a stretcher device. 1333801208 to Bourgraf et al. for example, discloses a pivot lock for detachable and pivotally interconnecting a pair of opposing members, such as the frame parts of a break away stretcher. The said lock having opposite parts one of which is bifurcated and mounts a pivot pin1 the other part being in the form of a tongue having a pin receiving slot together with a pin engaging latch member adapted to maintain the pin in the slot.

[a) Furthermore, an articulating joint is also known in the art to be used as a stretcher member. 1335217315 to Rosane, discloses an articulating joint provided for use in a foldable frame for a stretcher, which is capable of being selectively locked against upward, downward or lateral folding by rotating the joint relative to the folding frame member.

Brief Swnrriary and. Advantages of Invention [9) There is an evident need for compact stretchers in emergency situations for the transportation of casualties with the caability of being easily carried and assembled.

This apparatus aims to be sufficiently small in its compressed state and attachable to rucksacks used by hikers and the like; on outdoor expeditions as well as being easily assembled in a quick effective manner with the simple tug of an affixed cord triggering the inflation of the stretcher frame thrOugh releasing gas from an attached compressed c02 canister dev!ice.

[10) Preferably the stretcher would be encased in a bag that can be attached to rescue or hiking equipment such as a rucksack and unravelled when required.

[11) It would be advantageous for the stretcher frame to be comprised of, strong materials to have the capability of supporting human weight and absorbing any shocks or bumps.

[12] It wouldbe advantageous for the stretcher frame to have a built in air valve, allowing the gas to be released when the stretcher is not in use as well as for the purposes of inflating the stretcher in the eventuality of the co2 canister being exhausted.

[13)An advaxtage of the present invention is that it can be easily asse4bled from the pull of the affixed cord, which will subsequently cause the co2 canister to open thus releasing gas into the stretcher frame.

114) It would be preferable for the present invention to have handles raising the apparatus off the ground.

113) It would be preferable if the apparatus was compact in shape and size by being concertinaed when not in use.

Brief Descriptions of Drawings

[16] An exaiPle of the invention will now be described by referring t the accompanying drawings [173 Figure 1 shows the front of the apparatus in its unfolded state j18) Figure 2 shows the rear of the apparatus in its unfolded state [191 Figure 3 shows a front view of the apparatus where the carbon dioxide canister and air valve is attached.

[201 Figure 4 shows the side of the apparatus where the support handles are affixed when unfolded.

[2lJ Figure 5 shows the apparatus in its corripact rolled state.

Detailed_Description of the Invention

[22] The compact stretcher comprising a cord, compressed co2 canister, ar valve, handle suppotts, bag, woven mesh base and outer frame is disclosed and represented in both unfolded and rolled states in figures 1-5.

[23] A cord is pulled from the unravelled stretcher (fig 1) which is affixed to the top of the frame structure (1.6) and internally placed into the carbon dioxide canister (fig 2, 1.1) which triggers the opening of the carbon dioxide canister (1.1) thus releasing high pressure gas into the outer frame structure (1.6) of the apparatus.

(24] The coupressed carbon dioxide canister (Fig 3, 1.1) is located at iie centre of the front panel of the stretcher frame (1.6) iwhich is affixed onto the frame structure and partly insetted within the apparatus (1.7). It is operated by the cord which is attached to the canister at one end. When the cord is pulled the compressed carbon dioxide canister internally opens to release a high pressure bout of gas into the outer frame of the apparatus causing it to become rigid and reducing the need for a large amount of effort, as the device can be in operational use with one pull of the cord.

[25] The outer frame of the stretcher as displayed in fig. 1 (1.6) is rectangular in shape when fully inflated and would preferably be large enough to hold an adult casualty. The outer frame cts as a firm and rigid air cushion when filled with high pressure gas from the carbon dioxide canister (1.1) . The stiff structure of the outer frame is comprised of thousands o layers of polyester cross stitching, further supported by two layers of fabric on parallel sides, allowing a strong support of human weight as well as being able to

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absorb any shocks or bumps encountered during use of the apparatus.

[26] The base of the frame (fig 1, 1.5) is constructed out of a light weight woven mesh material and attached to the outer frame from its perimeter, stiffening when the outer frame is inflated to enable the support of the casualty as well as being able to be concertinaed when deflated (fig 3, 1.5), permitting Its compatible and portable size.

[27J Placed towards the left hand side of the carbon dioxide canister (1.1) is an air valve (fig 2, 1.2) which will be preferably used to deflate the apparatus when the valve cap is opened, allowing for the gas to escape. The air valve will preferably serve a secondary functionality of operating to inflate the device with air in the case of the carbon dioxide canister being exhausted and containing the air by closing its cap.

[28] Preferdbly the support handles (fig 4, 1.3) will be affixed on all four corners of the apparatus enabling the transportation of the injured body.

[29]The preferable embodiment of the base of the apparatus would also be in the form of handles (fig 4, 1.4) located diagonally underneath the four support handles placed above.

This will ensure the inflated stretcher frame will be raised above the ground thus providing additional support to the injured.

[30] Preferab1y in its deflated state (fig 5) the apparatus can be rolld into a small compact shape and placed into its container bag which can also be attached to rescue or hiking equipment such as a rucksack. This will ensure optimal portability and compression. *

Claims

Claims 1. A compact stretcher comprising; An inflatable outer frame, a cord placed at the top of the frame structure affIxed to a compressed C02 canister attached to the front side of the frame structure, an air valve placed next to the co2 canister,, a woven mesh centre of the frame structure, two support handles on the top corners o the left hand side of the frame, two reversed handles on the bottom corners of the left hand side of the frame, two support handles on the top corners on the right hand sideof the frame, two reversed handles on the bottom ccrners of the left hand side of the frame.
2. A compact stretcher of claim 1 wherein the said stretcher frame is unravelled from its rolled state and inflated by gas released from the compressed co2 canister.
3. A compact stretcher of claim 2 wherein the said cord connected to the top of the frame structure is pulled to * open the compressed co2 canister, triggering the release of gas from the connected compressed co2 canister into the stretcher frame.
4. A compact stretcher of the preceding claims wherein the said inflatable outer frame comprises of cross stitch polyester material which is set between two layers of fabric on either side which becomes rigid upon inflation and absorbing shocks and bumps.
5. A compac4 stretcher of claim I whereby the said air valve located oh the frame next to the co2 canister can be opened to release the gas from the said stretcher frame allowing for deflation, or used as an alternate means to inflate the stretcher by inserting air through the valve prior to sealing it.
6. A compact stretcher of claim 1 wherein the centre of the woven mesh frame becomes tighter upon inflation providing greater support.
7. A compact stretcher of claim 1 wherein the said reversed handles located at the bottom corners of the stretcher frame alltbws for the stretcher to be raised off the ground providing additional support
8. A compact stretcher of claim 1 wherein the said stretcher can be tightly compressed in its rolled state and attached to camping equipment.