GB2579751A - Folding webbing structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A folding stretcher comprises a plurality of panels 46 interlinked by selectively foldable poles 10, each pole extending through a tube within at least one of the panels. Each pole consists of a series of tubular rods that are interconnected by at least one cord or wire but which can separate and fold relative to one another. When unfolded, linearly adjacent rods are fixed to one another by a non-foldable connection in the form of a spigot, wherein a webbing strip 54 bridges the gap between the foldable panels. Optionally there is a plurality of webbing strips interconnecting each pair of neighbouring panels. The webbing strip may be a continuous length of material extending the length of the structure. The webbing strip may optionally double as a loop to provide a lifting loop of handle and secondary loops or handles are provided at both ends of the structure. Optionally the webbing strip is sewn, welded or bonded onto the panel or elements of the panel such as a flange.

Description

Folding Webbing Structure The present invention relates to a folding webbing structure, and preferably a rescue device such as a stretcher in which sections thereof, made of a webbing material, can fold relative to one another to allow compact stowage of the structure, for example in a bag. The present invention's structure may also be useful for folding ladders.

Folding stretchers are known. For example, W02015/008027 discloses a folding stretcher made of a webbing material in which a plurality panels -formed from lengths of tubular webbing linked with linking webbing members arranged perpendicular to the lengths of tubular webbing, are interlinked by foldable poles made of interconnected tubular rods that can separate and then fold relative to one another, the rods being interconnected by a length of elastic extending through the pole, with the poles (and thus the rods) extending through the tubes of the lengths of tubular webbing. The foldable stretcher is fast to assemble (unfold) and disassemble (fold). It would be desirable, however, to provide a foldable stretcher, or a similarly structured webbing structure, in which the folding or unfolding process remains quick, but in which the finally folded arrangement has a smaller footprint, it thus fitting into a smaller bag or box.

An approach would be to make the lengths of the rods and panels shorter. However, that just makes the bag or box thicker or taller as there will then have to be one or more additional panel to restore the standardised length of the stretcher or ladder, or some other such structure. The present invention thus adopts a different approach.

According to the present invention, there is provided a folding webbing structure comprising a plurality panels interlinked by selectively foldable poles made of interconnected tubular rods that can separate and thus fold relative to one another, the rods being interconnected by at least one cord or wire, each rod extending through a tube within at least one of the panels, and the unfolded poles interlinking the panels by extending through tubes within more than one of the panels, wherein in the unfolded poles, linearly adjacent rods are fixed to one another by a non foldable connection in the form of a spigot, the invention being characterised in that the spigot extends into both neighbouring ends of the two adjacent rods, and being attached to at least one of the at least one cord or wire for enabling the spigot to be retracted further into one of the neighbouring ends, and out of the other neighbouring end, by pulling on the at least one of the at least one cord or wire.

The pulling on the at least one of the at least one cord or wire can be a direct pulling, i.e. by having an end of the cord or wire accessible to a user at a free end of the pole, or it may be a remote pulling, e.g. via a handle attached to an end of the cord or wire distal from the spigot, or via an extension comprising a further spigot (attached to that end of the cord or wire distal from the first spigot) and a further wire or cord, and then a handle on the end of that further wire or cord, or with further similar extensions, etc..

These cords/wires and spigots can thus create a chain of spigots and wires/cords, although the chain may instead comprise a single wire or cord interlinking a plurality of the spigots in that chain, such as by the spigots themselves being tubular, with the wire or cord attached, secured or locked into each spigot.

Typically there is only one chain per pole, and typically there is a single handle for that chain. Therefore there is typically only one chain and only one handle per pole, although a pole might instead have a handle at each end to allow the spigots to be extracted again, or perhaps to allow there to be two independent chains, each pulling different spigots.

Preferably a spigot between a first pair of rods and an adjacent spigot between one of that pair and its other adjacent rod are connected together by a cord or wire that is generally non-elastic. Preferably each cord or wire in a chain of such spigots and cords/wires, between the spigot(s) and the handle, is substantially non elastic. As a consequence of the non elasticity, pulling the handle moves all spigots in the chain substantially simultaneously, thus releasing the non-foldable connections between the rods all together to allow all the rods to be folded relative to one another, and thus the folding webbing structure can be folded. Further, through the retraction of the spigots into the rods, the rods are shorter than if the spigots were each fixedly mounted to one end of a rod (as in W02015/008027). The folded webbing structure thus will have a smaller footprint, and will fit into a smaller bag.

To allow the spigots to automatically re-extend out of the rod in which it becomes contained when attempting to reassemble the webbing structure into its non folded condition, a farthest most end spigot of a chain, relative to the handle or pullable free end of the chain, can be elastically connected to the farthest most interconnected rod, e.g. by an elastic member. Preferably this is an end rod of the pole -the one that is most distal from the handle of that pole. The connection may be to an end cap of that rod, distal from the neighbouring end into which the end-most spigot of the chain will locate. For a non-folded pole, therefore, the spigots thus can be pulled in unison against that spring bias by pulling the handle or free end of the chain at a first end of the pole to simultaneously slide all spigots in the pole out of the non-folding connecting condition (in which the spigots are located in two rods) to a retracted condition (in which the spigots are each located only in a single rod), thus permitting folding of the rod, and then when reassembling the handle can just be released and the spring bias pulls the spigots back out of the single rods into the starting condition -the non-folding connecting condition in which the pole can no longer be folded.

Preferably the cord or wire extends from a first end of the pole, all the way through all the rods of that pole to the opposite end of the pole, but is longer than the pole, and is connected to an elastic member at or near the first end, and within the rod of that first end, the elastic member, when the pole is unfolded, tensioning the cord or wire to pull it, and its spigots, into their non-folding connecting condition within the neighbouring ends of the rods of the pole, but via the longer length of the cord or wire, the cord or wire can be pulled against the bias of the elastic member into a full-length tightened condition to thus then pull the spigots into their non-connecting condition, the length of the cord or wire, by being connected to the first end of the pole, defining a limitation for the degree of retraction of the spigots into their respective single rods, thus avoiding damage to the elastic member through over extension thereof.

Preferably the elastic member is a silicon or rubber elastic member, or a spring, such as a coil spring -e.g. a metal coil spring.

Preferably all the elastic members, cords, wires and spigots extend within the hollow of the tubular rods. They may instead be in slots in the sidewalls, with the rods then being potentially partially tubular.

The tubes within the panels are preferably provided in separate lengths of tubular webbing, each panel comprising more than one such length of tubular webbing. The lengths can then be interconnected within each panel by linking webbing members.

These can run parallel to the lengths to provide a continuous panel (or the continuous panel can be a single integrally formed panel (or a double -or more -thickness panel) with tubes stitched therein or thereon for receiving the rods).

Preferably the panels mostly have attached thereto at least one linking webbing element that is arranged perpendicular to the lengths of the tubes, these linking webbing elements providing, for example, rungs of a ladder or climbing net, or patient straps or handle loops for a stretcher. Further details of a preferred form of such linking webbing elements are disclosed in W02015/008027, and are thus not discussed in further detail herein.

The elastic member may be connected to a free end of a non-elastic cord or wire extending from the distal-most spigot (distal from the handle), or directly to the distal end of the distal most spigot. It is preferred, however, that it connects to a loop in a non-elastic cord or wire extending from the distal-most spigot, and it may itself be an elastic loop for connecting thereto.

Preferably cord or wire is a double cord or wire extending the length of the chain, and beyond the distal-most spigot, and it has a looped end for looping onto a loop of the elastic member.

Preferably the cord or wire is bonded to the spigots.

Preferably there is a single cord or wire extending through all the spigots. Alternatively, separate cords or wires may extend between the neighbouring spigots.

Preferably the rods are composite tubes, such as carbon fibre or glass fibre tubes. The rods may instead be metal tubes, cane tubes or plastic tubes.

Preferably the cord or wire is a double cord or wire, or a loop of cord or wire.

Preferably the spigots are composite spigots, such as carbon fibre or glass fibre spigots. As with the rods, however, they may be metal, cane or plastic.

Preferably the end cap -distal from the handle where provided -is a plastic end cap. It may alternatively be a composite or metal end cap.

Preferably the handle attached to the cord or wire is plastic, a composite or metal. It preferably has finger-grips to make pulling it easier -the finger grips can be a loop or a flange. Preferably the handle has a flange, finger grip or rim that extends wider than the diameter/width of the rods so that it can be gripped by a user even when pulled close to the end of the pole.

Preferably the poles have a generally round cross-section, although it could be square, triangular or any other tubular section.

Preferably the handle has an extension corresponding to or exceeding the length of the spigots that is sized to extend into the free end of the pole/proximal rod when spigots are in their extended positions. Thus, upon retracting the handle out of the free end, the extension can be used to retain the handle adequately extended out of the pole to position the spigots in their fully retracted state (e.g. by folding the handle alongside the rod), thus maintaining the reduced length of the rods during storage of the folded stretcher.

It is possible also, once the stretcher is folded, to reinsert the handle back into the end of its rod, thus being more tidily stored. This may allow the spigots to re-extend. However, it allows a quicker reassembly of the structure unto the unfolded state.

Due to the nature of the folds, with the cord or wire folding around the ends of the rods, even if the handle is reinserted into its adjacent rod end, the spigots are unable fully to extend from the rods even once the handle is reinserted into its adjacent rod end -the folded cord or wire will resist such movement of the spigots.

Upon assembly of the structure into the unfolded (assembled) state, the rods within each pole are relatively straight in relation to one another, and the handle can be released so as to allow the spigots to spring back into their extended states extending into both neighbouring rods.

In some embodiments the elastic member may have a stretch limitation device attached thereto. Preferably the stretch limitation device comprises a slack extension of the distal-most end of the chain -such as a length of cord or wire -to a distal most end cap of the pole, the slack being enough to allow retraction of the spigots into their retracted condition.

The handle or end of the cord or wire for releasing the spigots is preferably provided with a grip handle.

The grip handle, when provided with the extension, is also preferably provided such that the extension has a distal end having a groove or cut out in it to allow the cord or wire to fold around the end of the extension without kinking, or alternatively, or additionally, to allow the distal end of the extension to sit on the adjacent rim of the adjacent rod to resist reinsertion thereof into the end of the rod, thus permitting a more straightforward pulling of all of poles' chains -a single hand can pull them all independently without needing to awkwardly hold previously pulled handles in their pulled condition.

The present invention also provides an improvement to folding webbing structures whereby they can be lifted vertically without linearly stretching one panel of the webbing structure relatively away from another -to allow the length of the structure to extend in this way can be very unsafe for a person strapped thereto, or climbing therein, such as will be likely to occur on a stretcher or a ladder.

According to this aspect of the present invention there is provided a folding webbing structure comprising a plurality of panels interlinked by selectively foldable poles made of interconnected tubular rods that can separate and thus fold relative to one another, the rods being interconnected by at least one cord or wire, each rod extending through a tube within at least one of the panels, and the unfolded poles interlinking the panels by extending through tubes within more than one of the panels, wherein in the unfolded poles, linearly adjacent rods are fixed to one another by a non foldable connection in the form of a spigot, the invention being characterised by the provision of a webbing strip bridging the gaps between the foldable panels whereby the extent of separation between the panels is limited, but whereby the panels can still fold relative to one another.

Preferably there is a plurality of such webbing strips interconnecting each pair of neighbouring panels, such as at least one per pole, or more preferably at least two for each of a pair of poles.

There may be three or more poles, with two being side poles and the others being middle poles.

Preferably there is a single strip provided for each outer pole.

There may be a strip provided for one or more of the middle poles.

Preferably there is a pair of strips provided for one or more of the middle poles.

Preferably at least one of the webbing strips is a continuous length of material extending the length of the structure. It may extend there and back -for example it may be doubled up as a loop.

Preferably at least one strip of webbing material is provided for an end panel of the structure to provide one or more lifting loop or lifting handle. Preferably a loop of webbing material is provided for that end panel to provide the lifting loop or lifting handle.

The at least one strip of webbing material that is provided for an end panel of the structure can be an extension of at least one of the webbing strips extending between that end panel and its neighbouring panel, or even of the continuous webbing strip(s). For example, a single webbing strip may provide two continuous lengths along the structure, and the loop, if being a single strip looped up and down the structure with the loop at the end.

Secondary loops or handles for lifting may be provided in addition to a primary lifting loop or handle.

Lifting loops or handles may be provided at both ends of the structure, or just at the one end.

Preferably the webbing strip is sewn, welded or bonded onto or into the panel, or the elements of the panel, such as adjacent the tubes into which the poles extend.

Preferably the webbing strip is sewn into a flange that extends to a side of a tube into which the poles extend.

These and other features of the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows schematically a pole comprising three tubes and two spigots, the spigots being connected by a loop of cord or wire, with an end cap on each end of the pole, one connected to the cord or wire, and the other connected to an elastic member that is itself connected to the cord or wire; Figure 2 shows an alternative arrangement wherein the cord or wire is a single length, rather than a loop; Figure 3 shows an arrangement similar to Figure 2, but in which the pole is shortened; Figure 4 shows the arrangement of Figure 3, but in which the end cap attached to the cord or wire has been pulled for releasing the spigots -the elastic member has accordingly stretched; Figure 5 shows the arrangement of Figure 4, but wherein the pole has been partially folded; Figure 6 shows a possible extension stop for the elastic member; Figure 7 shows the extension stop in its extension stopping condition; Figure 8 shows a first embodiment of end cap for pulling out spigots, comprising a handle, wherein the cord or wire is attached to a plug at the proximal end of the handle; Figure 9 shows an alternative arrangement of end cap wherein the cord or wire is affixed to the end cap within the extension of the handle and a contour is provided at the distal end of the extension of the handle cap for allowing the end cap to sit on a rim of the rod/pole; Figure 10 shows a proposed stretcher having vertical lift webbing strips stitched therein; Figure 11 shows a detail of a component of the stretcher of Figure 10; Figure 12 shows a side view of the section shown in Figure 11; Figures 13 shows a section through a side pole of the stretcher of Figure 10; Figure 14 shows a section through a central pole of the stretcher of Figure 10; Figures 15 to 17 show further views of the element of Figure 11, but in cut-away or prior to insertion of a rod therein; Figure 18 shows further details of a preferred stretcher using the inventive spigots and with net webbing extending between the tubed webbing that contain the poles; Figure 19 shows a perspective view of an end of a stretcher arrangement, part folded; Figures 20 to 23 show a sequence of steps for folding a stretcher by pulling a handle; Figure 24 shows a perspective view of a middle of another stretcher arrangement, part folded; Figure 25 shows a side elevation view of a folded stretcher embodiment; Figure 26 shows an end elevation of a folded stretcher embodiment; and Figure 27 shows a folded stretcher embodiment loaded into a carrying bag.

Referring first of all to Figure 1 there is shown a first proposal for a pole for use in the present invention. The pole 10 comprises a plurality (three in this embodiment, although more usually there would be four, five or six) of interconnected tubular rods 12 that can separate and thus fold relative to one another as shown in Figure 4.

The rods 12 are interconnected by at least one cord or wire -in this example a double cord 14.

As shown in Figure 1, the pole is in an unfolded (straight) condition and linear adjacent rods 12 are fixed to one another by a non-foldable connection in the form of a spigot 16 in a manner wherein the spigots 16 extend into both neighbouring ends of its two adjacent rods 12 so as to bridge therebetween in a non-foldable manner.

The spigots in this embodiment are bonded to the double cords 14 so as to be fixed relative to one another such that upon pulling the cord 14, both spigots can slide together. An alternative may have separate cords (singles, loops or doubled up lengths) between each linearly adjacent pair of spigots, each cord bonded into the adjacent ends of the spigots of its pair.

At the lower or distal end of the pole 10, the double cord forms a double cord loop 18 formed by the cord being looped back on itself. Into that loop, an elastic member, here in the form of a loop of silicon or rubber tubing, or an elastic rope, or a plastic or metal spring, is connected so as to connect the cord 14 with an end of the lowermost or distal-most rod 12. Herein that is achieved by attaching the elastic member 20 to an end cap of the pole 10. The end cap 22 in this embodiment is similar to an end cap 24 provided at the other end of the cord 14. It is preferred, however, that the end caps differ.

It is possible for the end cap 22 at the bottom of the pole, i.e. connected to the elastic member 20, to be fixed into the end of the pole 10, whereas the end cap at the upper or proximal end of the pole is merely retained elasticity at the end of the pole 10 by the means of the elastic members -it needs to be pullable.

The end cap 24 at the proximal end of the pole can be a handle since it will be used for pulling the cord 14 for moving the spigots 16 as later described.

In Figure 1 they are both illustrated as balls. They may instead be handles, plugs or rings.

Referring next to Figure 2, an alternative arrangement is disclosed. It is largely similar to the embodiment of Figure 1. However, the loop or twin-length of the elastic member 20 is replaced with a single length elasticated member such as a rope or cord or wire, or a silicon or rubber tube, or a plastic or metal spring. Again it is attached to the distal most end cap and the distal most end of the cord 14. In addition that cord is also now replaced with a single length cord 14, rather than the previous twin length or loop.

The cord 14 is again bonded to the spigots and extends substantially the full length of the pole 10 so as to be attached at its other end to the proximal end cap. This can also be changed as above.

As before, upon pulling the proximal end cap, the cord pulls the two spigots to slide them out of engagement with their lower (as shown) rods so as to release the rod into a foldable condition.

Referring next to Figures 3 and 4, this process can be seen. Upon moving the proximal end cap 24, the spigots can be moved from their non-folding condition of Figure 3 into their foldable condition of Figure 4.

In this condition, the elastic member is stretched and a portion of the cord at the other end extends out of the rods.

As shown in Figure 5, once the proximal end cap 24 has been pulled so as to release the spigots 16, the pole 10 can be folded. Figure 5 shows a partial fold. Figures 19 to 27 also show the folding of a stretcher that contains similar poles.

Referring next to Figure 6, an extension limitation device for the elastic member is shown. As can be seen, the cord 14 has a length that extends all the way from one end cap 22 to the other 24, rather than just to the elastic member. However in addition to that extra length it has a spigot release length so as to make that extra length a little longer. That extra bit of the cord thus becomes a length of slack 26 which generally corresponds in length to that extra length plus the length of cord needed to release the spigots. This thus allows the proximal end cap 24 to be pulled adequately out of the proximal end of the pole to release the spigot 16. It may even be provided a few cm longer than that required minimum combined length to ensure there is adequate length in the length of slack 26 to release the spigots. However, there is no need to provide a lot more cord than that since to do so could allow the elastic to be over stretched potentially beyond its elastic limit, and it could also make it harder to fit the extra length within the rod.

The elastic member 20 in this example is shown to be a loop of elastic attached to the single cord 14.

As shown in Figure 7, as the cord 14 is stretched, the elastic member 20 also stretches, yet the length of slack 26 eventually tightens thus preventing further extension of the elastic member 20. This thus prevents an overstretching of the elastic member 20, whereby there is unlikely to be a non-elastic failure of the elastic member 20 through overstretching of the elastic member 20.

This anti overstretch arrangement can be incorporated into the distal most rod.

Referring next to Figure 8, a possible design for a proximal end cap 24 is shown. As can be seen, the proximal end cap 24 comprises two finger grip members that form a handle. These finger grip members 28 extend to the side of a central hub 30. The central hub 30 is sized in this embodiment so as not to be able to enter the open end of the proximal most rod 12. The handle members, however, also could provide that function.

Extending from the central hub 30 is an extension 32. The extension extends along the cord and is sized to be able to fit into the open end of the proximal most rod 12. The length of the extension 32 is also approximately the length of the spigot release length.

This is so that it can represent the time when the spigots have released.

In the embodiment of Figure 8, the cord 14 (in this example a twin length of cord) extends inside the extension 32 to a plug 34 inserted into the central hub 30. The plug 34 grips the end of the cord -perhaps via a hole in the plug and a knot in the end of the cord that is larger than that hole -so as to prevent release of the cord through the extension 32.

Upon pulling this end cap 24, the spigots can be released.

The extension 32 has an end face which is larger than the cord, and thus there is a step down to the cord 14. This stepped end face 36 can be used to rest against the edge of the end of the near-most rod 12 to help resist a reinsertion of the extension 32 back into the rod 12. It thus then facilitates the release of all of the spigots in all the various poles one after another (rather than needing all the spigots in all of the poles to be released at the same time).

Referring next to Figure 9, an alternative arrangement for the proximal end cap is shown. In this arrangement, the cord is glued or otherwise bonded inside the extension 32. The end of the extension 32 is also stepped and grooved, with the groove helping to allow the cord 14 to bend around the end without kinking on the end face 36 of the extension 32. This can allow the end cap to be folded around back against the pole when it is extracted from the end of the pole, for folding flat thereagainst -thus making the stowage of the folded stretcher more compact.

The groove can have a rounded face for further improving this anti-kink function, although the stepped end is still preferably retained to allow the end cap 24 to be rested against the end of the pole as before.

Since the cord 14 is bonded inside this extension, a plug 34 is no longer needed to close the end of the central hub 30 so there is no plug 34 in this product. This allows the end cap 24 to be of a single piece construction.

Other forms of handle can also be of a one piece construction.

Referring next to Figure 10, a schematic view of a preferred arrangement of stretcher is disclosed. As can be seen, the stretcher 38 comprises four poles 10 such as those described above. More or less poles may be preferred.

Each pole 10 is located in a tube 40 (see Figures 13 and 14) formed by a tubular webbing member 42.

The two outer poles, or side poles 10, are formed in a tubular webbing member having a single flange extending inwardly therefrom towards the other poles 10, as shown in Figure 13, whereas the central poles 10, as shown in Figure 14, have two flanges extending from their tubular webbing members 42.

These flanges 44 can be stitched together either directly or via a further webbing member as disclosed below, or with even further members therebetween. In this embodiment they form the tubular core defining the tube in which the poles 10 are inserted.

The webbing members are arranged in this example in a series of panels 46 and in this example there are five such panels. Each panel in this example has four tubular webbing members 42, each accommodating a rod 12 and each being interconnected to one another by linking webbing members 48.

Some linking webbing members extend merely between the four tubular webbing members 42 whereas others extend beyond the tubular webbing members 42. The longer ones in this example are provided as either lifting points for the stretcher as signified by reference sign 50 or as patient or casualty retaining straps as shown by reference sign 52.

The restraining straps 52 typically will have buckles on them whereas the horizontal lifting points 50 may be looped as a single piece, or may have looped ends so as to allow lifting.

These loops and straps are disclosed in greater detail in W02015/008027, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein purely by way of reference, and need not be discussed further herein since they are not essential for the invention, especially in the case of a ladder -where they are not needed at all.

Each panel 46 in this embodiment is thus formed of a plurality of tubular members and a plurality of linking webbing members. It is possible, however, for each panel to be a continuous webbing sheet or multiple layers of such sheets with tubes formed therein or thereon. It is preferred, however, that the tubular webbing members are discrete so that there are gaps between them to allow water or air, or even body fluids, to pass readily therethrough so that the structure does not form a sail like member and is less likely to be caught in the wind.

The gaps therebetween may be in-filled with perforated material, however, as shown in Figure 18. This perforated material may be a woven or bonded web, and preferably it is stitched into the flanges that extend either side of the tubes that receive the poles.

Figure 18 also shows in a small cut-out area where a flap is lifted the poles 10 running inside the tubes of the webbing members.

The poles 10 extend, when not folded, linearly between the panels. As such, when the stretcher is on the floor, the poles hold the panels in a generally common plane (as generally shown in Figure 10) to allow a casualty to lie thereon (or climb thereon when against a wall, in the case of a ladder).

In addition to the poles 10, it is preferred that webbing strips 54 are provided between the panels 46. These serve a further purpose, and are shown in this embodiment. As can be seen, there are six webbing strips extending between each pair of panels 46. This is because there is a single webbing strip 54 provided for each of the side poles and two webbing strips 54 provided for each of the central poles. It is possible also to provide a stretcher using the spigots but without using these webbing strips, and vice versa.

Returning to this illustrated embodiment, although six are shown between each pair of panels, it is possible to reduce or increase the number of webbing strips if preferred. See, for example, the embodiment of Figure 19, where there are only 4. Figures 24, 26 and 27, however, again show 6.

These webbing strips serve to prevent the panels 44 from separating relative to one another in the plane of the panels. They will still allow folding of the panels relative to one another, but not an unacceptable extension of the stretcher. As can be seen in Figures 26 and 27, they have a length that allows the 180 degree folding of the panels with respect to one another, which length may be about 30mm, or between 15 and 40mm, although the ideal length will depend upon the thickness of the panels.

As a result of the provision of these strips, it is possible to lift the stretcher using lifting handles as shown at the ends of the two endmost panels 46. These lifting handles 56, 58 can be identical at each end of the stretcher, or as shown they can be different. It is possible also for a lifting handle only to be provided at one end (or at neither end). It is preferred, however, that a lifting handle 56, 58 is provided at each end.

The lifting handle 56 at the first end can be seen to be formed from four lengths of webbing strip 54. This could be two loops each defining two of the webbing strips, and those loops being sewn together at the lifting handle. The two loops of webbing strip thus can extend down either side of the respective central poles 10 inside the flanges 44 extending either side of the tubular webbing members 42. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 14 the outer strips can be a first loop forming the first handle and the inner strips can be a loop defining a second handle at the other end of the stretcher with the free ends of the second loop being stitched to the first loop.

In this preferred arrangement, the webbing strips extend the full length of the stretcher down to the respective far end thereof, although discrete lengths might instead be located between the panels.

It is preferred, as shown, that at the proximal lifting end 56, the two ends formed from the loop of the distal lifting handle 58 may only be stitched as ends onto that proximal lifting handle. It is also preferred, as shown, that the distal end of the outer webbing strips forming that proximal lifting handle 56 terminate at the distal end of the stretcher.

Down the side poles, only a single webbing strip 54 is provided and again these webbing strips may extend the full length of the stretcher. In this example they do not form lifting handles. However, it is optional for them to do so, if preferred.

Figure 12 shows a detail of the webbing strip extending the full length of the stretcher.

Referring also to Figures 15, 16 and 17, the length of the webbing strips can again be appreciated.

Referring finally to Figure 18, as can be seen a perforated or netted fabric can be mounted between the tubular webbing members 42, as mentioned above, to provide a complete support for a casualty on the stretcher. If the stretcher is to be used as a ladder, however, this netting is unlikely to be appropriate -they would block foot-holds! From this drawing one can also see that the linking webbing members 48 are stitched to the panels 46. As shown, however, they generally are only stitched between the tubes, rather than at the tubes, as this facilitates the manufacturing process. This stitching can be across straps on top and bottom sides of the panels, and thus between those straps, and/or across the flanges that extend from the tubes.

The present invention has been described above purely by way of example. Modifications in detail may be made to the invention without departing from the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

FURTHER STATEMENTS OF INVENTION

1. A folding webbing structure comprising a plurality panels interlinked by selectively foldable poles made of interconnected tubular rods that can separate and thus fold relative to one another, the rods being interconnected by at least one cord or wire, each rod extending through a tube within at least one of the panels, and the unfolded poles interlinking the panels by extending through tubes within more than one of the panels, wherein in the unfolded poles, linearly adjacent rods are fixed to one another by a non foldable connection in the form of a spigot, wherein the spigot extends into both neighbouring ends of the two adjacent rods, and is attached to at least one of the at least one cord or wire for enabling the spigot to be retracted further into one of the neighbouring ends, and out of the other neighbouring end, by pulling on the at least one of the at least one cord or wire.

2. The structure of clause 1, wherein a handle is attached to an end of the cord or wire distal from the spigot.

3. The structure of clause 1 or clause 2, wherein a further spigot is attached to that end of the cord or wire distal from the first spigot.

4. The structure of clause 3, comprising a further wire or cord, and then a handle on the end of that further wire or cord.

5. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein cords or wires and spigots can within the poles create a chain of spigots and wires or cords.

6. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, comprising a single wire or cord interlinking a plurality of spigots.

7. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the or each spigot is tubular.

8. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses wherein the wire or cord is attached, secured or locked into a plurality of spigots.

9. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein there is only one chain of wire(s) or cord(s) and spigot(s) per pole.

10. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein there is a single handle for each pole.

11. The structure of any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the pole has a handle at each end.

12. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein a spigot between a first pair of rods and an adjacent spigot between one of that pair and its other adjacent rod are connected together by a cord or wire that is generally non-elastic.

13. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, each cord or wire in a chain of spigots, between the spigots and any handle, if provided, is substantially non elastic.

14. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses wherein pulling a handle at an end of a pole moves all spigots within that pole substantially simultaneously.

15. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein a farthest most end spigot of a chain of spigots, relative to a handle or pullable free end of the chain, is elastically connected to the farthest most interconnected rod.

16. The structure of clause 15, wherein the elastic connection is by an elastic member.

17. The structure of clause 15 or clause 16, wherein the elastic connection is at an end rod of the pole.

18. The structure of clause 17, wherein the elastic connection is to an end cap of that rod, distal from the neighbouring end into which the end-most spigot of the chain will locate.

19. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the cord or wire extends from a first end of the pole, all the way through all the rods of that pole to the opposite end of the pole, but is longer than the pole, and is connected to an elastic member at or near the first end, and within the rod of that first end, the elastic member, when the pole is unfolded, tensioning the cord or wire to pull it, and its spigots, into their non-folding connecting condition within the neighbouring ends of the rods of the pole, but via the longer length of the cord or wire, the cord or wire can be pulled against the bias of the elastic member into a full-length tightened condition to thus then pull the spigots into their non-connecting condition, the length of the cord or wire, by being connected to the first end of the pole, defining a limitation for the degree of retraction of the spigots into their respective single rods, thus avoiding damage to the elastic member through over extension thereof.

20. The structure of any one of clauses 15 to 19, wherein the elastic connection is via a silicon or rubber elastic member, or a spring, such as a coil spring -e.g. a metal coil spring.

21. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein all elastic members, cords, wires and spigots extend within a hollow of the tubular rods.

22. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the tubes within the panels are provided in separate lengths of tubular webbing, each panel comprising more than one such length of tubular webbing.

23. The structure of clause 22, wherein the lengths of tubular webbing are interconnected within each panel by linking webbing members.

24. The structure of clause 23, wherein the linking webbing members run parallel to the lengths to provide a continuous panel 25. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein each panel is a double thickness panel with tubes stitched therein or thereon for receiving the rods.

26. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the panels mostly have attached thereto at least one linking webbing element that is arranged perpendicular to the lengths of the tubes.

27. The structure of clause 26, wherein the at least one linking webbing element is a rung of a ladder or climbing net.

28. The structure of clause 26, wherein the at least one linking webbing element is a patient strap.

29. The structure of clause 26, wherein the at least one linking webbing element forms a handle loop.

30. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, comprising an elastic member connected to a free end of a non-elastic cord or wire extending from the distal-most spigot.

31. The structure of any one of clauses 1 to 29, comprising an elastic member connected directly to the distal end of the distal most spigot.

32. The structure of any one of clauses 1 to 29, comprising an elastic member connected to a loop in a non-elastic cord or wire extending from the distal-most spigot.

33. The structure of clause 32, wherein the elastic member is an elastic loop.

34. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the cord or wire is a double cord or wire.

35. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the cord or wire has a looped end.

36. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the cord or wire is bonded to the spigots.

37. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein there is a single cord or wire extending through all the spigots.

38. The structure of any one of clauses 1 to 36, wherein separate cords or wires extend between neighbouring spigots.

39. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the rods are composite tubes, such as carbon fibre or glass fibre tubes.

40. The structure of any one of clauses 1 to 38, wherein the rods are metal tubes, cane tubes or plastic tubes.

41. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the spigots are composite spigots, such as carbon fibre or glass fibre spigots.

42. The structure of any one of clauses 1 to 40, wherein the spigots are metal, cane or plastic.

43. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein a handle attached to the cord or wire is plastic, a composite or metal.

44. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein a handle attached to the cord or wire has finger-grips to make pulling it easier.

45. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein a handle attached to the cord or wire has a flange, finger grip or rim that extends wider than the diameter/width of the rods so that it can be gripped by a user even when pulled close to the end of the pole.

46. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the poles have a generally round cross-section.

47. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein a handle attached to the cord or wire has an extension corresponding to or exceeding the length of the part of the spigots that is sized to extend into the free end of the pole/proximal rod when spigots are in their extended positions.

48. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein a handle attached to the cord or wire has an extension with a distal end having a groove or cut out in it to allow the cord or wire to fold around the end of the extension without kinking.

49. The structure of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein a handle attached to the cord or wire has an extension with a distal end having a groove or cut out in it to allow the distal end of the extension to sit on the adjacent rim of the adjacent rod to resist reinsertion thereof into the end of the rod.

Claims (18)

1. CLAIMS1. A folding webbing structure comprising a plurality of panels interlinked by selectively foldable poles made of interconnected tubular rods that can separate and thus fold relative to one another, the rods being interconnected by at least one cord or wire, each rod extending through a tube within at least one of the panels, and the unfolded poles interlinking the panels by extending through tubes within more than one of the panels, wherein in the unfolded poles, linearly adjacent rods are fixed to one another by a non foldable connection in the form of a spigot, wherein a webbing strip bridges the gaps between the foldable panels whereby the extent of separation between the panels is limited, but whereby the panels can still fold relative to one another.
2. 2. The structure of claim 1, wherein there is a plurality of such webbing strips interconnecting each pair of neighbouring panels.
3. 3. The structure of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein there are three or more poles, with two being side poles and the others being middle poles.
4. 4. The structure of claim 3, wherein there is a single strip provided for each outer pole.
5. 5. The structure of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein there is a strip provided for one or more of the middle poles.
6. 6. The structure of claim 5, wherein there is a pair of strips provided for one or more of the middle poles.
7. 7. The structure of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of the webbing strips is a continuous length of material extending the length of the structure.
8. 8. The structure of claim 7, wherein the at least one webbing strip extends there and back.
9. 9. The structure of claim 8, wherein the at least one webbing strip is doubled up as a loop.
10. 10. The structure of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one strip of webbing material is provided for an end panel of the structure to provide one or more lifting loop or lifting handle.
11. 11. The structure of claim 10, wherein a loop of webbing material is provided for that end panel to provide the lifting loop or lifting handle.
12. 12. The structure of claim 10 or 11, wherein the at least one strip of webbing material that is provided for an end panel of the structure is an extension of at least one of the webbing strips extending between that end panel and its neighbouring panel.
13. 13. The structure of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a single webbing strip provides two continuous lengths along the structure, and a loop.
14. 14. The structure of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein secondary loops or handles for lifting are provided in addition to a primary lifting loop or handle.
15. 15. The structure of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein lifting loops or handles are provided at both ends of the structure.
16. 16. The structure of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the webbing strip is sewn, welded or bonded onto or into the panel, or the elements of the panel, such as adjacent the tubes into which the poles extend.
17. 17. The structure of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the webbing strip is sewn into a flange that extends to a side of a tube into which the poles extend.
18. 18. The structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the structure is a foldable stretcher.