WO2003094658A1

WO2003094658A1 - A dual purpose rucksack

Info

Publication number: WO2003094658A1
Application number: PCT/IE2003/000064
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Joseph Lynagh
Original assignee: John Joseph Lynagh
Priority date: 2002-05-10
Filing date: 2003-05-06
Publication date: 2003-11-20
Also published as: AU2003267610A1

Abstract

The invention provides a rucksack (1) or Bergen, which can be converted into a stretcher relatively easily. The rucksack comprises an inner pack (3), which is housed within an outer pack (2) and secured thereto by a zip (4). The inner pack (3), containing all of the contents of the rucksack (1), can be easily removed and then the outer pack (2) can be disassembled by use of further vertically arranged zips (4) which allow the outer pack (2) to be totally disassembled and laid flat. All additional carrying handles and straps, when used as a stretcher as, for example, carrying shoulder straps for the inner pack (3), are housed between the pack (2,3) when in normal use as a rucksack.

Description

"A Dual Purpose Rucksack"

Introduction

The present invention relates to a dual purpose rucksack comprising a main pack of a flexible material forming a main compartment, the rucksack being convertible into a stretcher. Such rucksacks are often referred to as Bergens.

One of the problems with persons suffering relatively minor injuries in activities such as hill walking or indeed general outdoor pursuits, is that they can suffer what are or would be relatively minor accidents in normal urban surroundings but which, because of where the accident takes place, can often result in more damage to and difficulties for the injured person and his or her companions, than indeed the actual injury would warrant. Taking a very simple situation such as, for example, a person tripping and spraining an ankle or breaking a leg, such an accident, if it occurred within reach of a suitable transport infrastructure is relatively minor. It may be extremely inconvenient for the injured person but it does not, of itself, constitute a critical situation. The same accident, if it should happen miles away from the nearest road, could have extremely severe consequences for everybody involved.

For example, unless there is actually a conventional stretcher available in situations such as this, the companions of the person injured may often have to carry ^"the injured person in a piggyback fashion. Alternatively, it has been known to use ropes or indeed plastic bags, if available, as a makeshift stretcher. The problem with these techniques is that they are difficult, generally unsuitable, except for carrying a person a very short distance and indeed, in many cases, pose a risk of further injury not only to the already injured companion but also to the persons assisting the casualty. It has not been unknown for the helpers or companions to be also injured in trying to carry a previously injured person, for example, down a mountainside. The inability to give prompt practical assistance, in the sense of being able to convey an incapacitated person to safety, can additionally lead to a sense of helplessness and low morale in the group as a whole with consequent inappropriate group decisions leading to serious consequences. Therefore, a relatively minor injury which prevents a person walking, when that person is in a place remote from any form of transport, can cause considerable difficulties for his or her companions. The only alternative for them is hopefully they have some form of radio communication and are able to call out some form of rescue service, such as personnel in a rescue vehicle or a helicopter. While these services are indispensable in the case of serious injury, there is a serious disadvantage in calling them out for what are relatively minor injuries. This places an intolerable burden on the service and indeed can often lead to the service being unavailable when a serious injury occurs as the service may be concurrently transporting a person suffering from relatively minor injuries to a place of treatment. Thus, as a matter of public policy and not just simply from the aspect of expense, the use of the established rescue services to transport people suffering from relatively minor injuries to a place of treatment is to be avoided.

Ideally, if people travelling in remote areas such as walkers, hill climbers, mountaineers and indeed army and other personnel whose duties require them to travel in these remote areas by foot, could be persuaded to bring some form of stretcher with them, this would greatly improve matters in the sense that most people suffering from relatively minor injuries could be transported to safety, without the need for the use of the rescue services with the consequent overload and cost to the rescue services.

It is known, for example, to provide a rucksack having a frame and material stretched across the frame, the frame being extendable such that it can serve as a bed or stretcher. Such a rucksack is described in GB Patent Specification No. 2181640 (Gilchrist). Other convertible rucksacks are described in GB Patent Specification No. 1443664 (Barraclough) or in US Patent Specification No. 3828992 (Cerchione). However, most of these constructions are relatively complex and require often quite skilled assembly and, in many instances, are totally inappropriate for the situation. Further, in many instances, simply placing an injured person on a stretcher is not feasible. For example, if the person is injured in a place where access is remote or where it is difficult to extract them from, then simply putting an injured person on a stretcher is of no possible use as the stretcher cannot be carried or moved from the place of injury to a place of safety or at least of relative safety. What is needed is not so much a stretcher per se, although, in some instances, the ability to provide carrying handles may be important, but to provide something that will not just simply allow the injured person to be carried, but will also protect the injured person from further injury. Such further injury can occur, for example, in winching an injured person up into an helicopter, manipulating and moving them from the point of injury to a point of relative safety or simply while carrying them to safety. The fact that many of these accidents are relatively minor should not lead to their virtual ignoring. What is required, therefore, is a more convenient form of rucksack that can be converted into a stretcher, which stretcher will allow the injured person to be protected from further injury and, at the same time, removed to a place of safety. Further, and most importantly, such a rucksack should be relatively quickly converted into a stretcher and ideally the contents of the rucksack, particularly when carried on the injured person's back should be relatively easily removed. Since, often, the contents cannot be abandoned at the place of injury, it is important that there be sufficient means to allow the contents, not alone to be removed quickly from the rucksack, but also to be in a situation whereby they can be carried without having to be redistributed, for example, among other members of the party.

The present invention is directed towards overcoming these problems.

Statements of Invention

According to the invention, there is provided a dual purpose rucksack comprising a main pack of a flexible material forming a main compartment, the rucksack being convertible into a stretcher characterised in that:

the main pack is a two part pack comprising an outer pack and an inner pack nesting inside the outer pack to form the main compartment; and

in which the outer pack comprises a plurality of outer pack fasteners whereby on release of the fasteners, the outer pack may be folded out to provide a frameless stretcher and the inner pack may still store the contents of the main compartment. The great advantage of this rucksack is that the inner pack can be easily removed from the outer pack and all the contents of the rucksack removed, except obviously any carried in external pouches. With the contents of the rucksack removed, then release of the fasteners allows the stretcher to be formed immediately. It will be appreciated that the inner pack can be made of a very light material since it is unlikely that a rucksack will be converted into a stretcher more than three or four times during its usable life and thus, effectively, the inner pack can be a liner for the rucksack and thus, if made of a suitable material such as a washable material, it can perform many functions.

In one embodiment, the inner pack has shoulder carrying straps for use as a separate rucksack when removed from the main pack. This is particularly advantageous because, in effect, now there is a second rucksack and none of the problems associated with the lack of carrying capacity of the rucksack, as has heretofore, are significant.

Ideally, the inner pack includes an inner cover flap which further enhances the functionality of the inner pack.

Ideally, the inner pack has an open mouth, the periphery of which is releasably connected to the main pack by further pack connecting fasteners and in which the shoulder carrying straps and, if provided, the inner cover flap for the inner pack are stored between the inner and outer packs. The advantage of this is that all of the straps, carrying handles, connectors, etc., including the shoulder straps of the inner pack, are stored neatly within the rucksack. Thus, the interior main compartment of the rucksack can be configured in any suitable way, without the need to take account of the additional straps and other devices, including any shoulder straps, for example, or other carrying straps, which are hidden and stored away.

In another embodiment of the invention, the fasteners are so arranged that they can all be released to form the frameless stretcher while the rucksack is still being carried on a person's back. The advantage of this is that if the person wearing the rucksack is injured, it is not necessary to manhandle the person to place them on the stretcher, but one can simply leave the shoulder straps on the injured person and rapidly disassemble the rucksack with minimal manipulation of the injured person. The shoulder straps of the rucksack can either then be removed from the patient or indeed left on the injured person.

In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided shoulder carrying straps on the outer pack adapted for disassembly and conversion into body retaining straps for the frameless stretcher. Indeed, this can be advantageous because by disassembling the straps, it is possible to reconnect the straps to lie across an injured person to hold the person's torso in position on the frameless stretcher.

In another embodiment of the invention, the outer pack has a main cover flap for the main compartment, the main cover flap being so configured as to form a hood for a person when laid on the stretcher formed. This can be extremely advantageous when a person's head has been injured and also will ensure that the major source of heat loss in a person is at least somewhat insulated. Thus, hypothermia is less likely to be a problem.

In one embodiment of the invention, the cover flap comprises a pair of extension flaps mounted on the interior of the main cover flap and releasably secured thereto. This is a particularly suitable way of providing protection to an injured person's head.

In another embodiment of the invention, an elongate stiffening member receiving pocket extends from the free end of the main cover flap forming portion and beyond the main cover flap forming portion whereby, in use, as a stretcher, a person's head may be rigidly retained relative to the person's torso. Thus, if a person has a head injury, it is possible to retain the person's head rigidly on the stretcher, even if the remainder of the stretGher is flexible. The great advantage is that it will allow a person's torso to be bent, the person to be propped up, and so on, while at the same time, retaining the injured person's head in a rigid configuration. Accordingly, the advantages of a rigid stretcher, without its disadvantages, are achieved.

Ideally, the stiffening member is housed in that portion of the pocket beyond the main .cover flap forming portion when not required for stiffening purposes. This means that the stiffening member can be housed all the time in the rucksack without any problem for the person using the rucksack.

The stiffening member is preferably length adjustable. Any form of telescopic or other rod would be suitable.

Ideally, carrying handles are affixed to the interior of the outer pack to be between the packs in the assembled rucksack configuration. Since these carrying handles are housed between these two packs in the assembled rucksack configuration, they do not cause any problems or obstructions when the rucksack is being used in its normal goods carrying configuration.

Equally well, retaining straps are affixed to the interior of the outer pack to be between the packs in the assembled rucksack configuration. Again, this means that a considerable number of straps may be provided such that an injured person can be well strapped into the stretcher to provide further protection with the material of the rucksack. One therefore has what is effectively a wraparound stretcher which encapsulates the injured party.

In another embodiment of the invention, additional pouches are releasably connected to the outside of the outer pack by pouch fasteners, the pouches having extendable sides for increased capacity on removal from the outer pack.

The advantage of this is by having expandable sides, the pouches may be increased in capacity subsequent to removal from the rucksack so that firstly, they will allow the rucksack to be laid out to form the necessary stretcher and secondly, the additional size of pouch will allow the apportionment of a load between one or more pouches thus facilitating the carrying of the load by the remaining members of the party.

In one embodiment of the invention, the extendable side comprises a side pouch fastener interconnecting portions of the side.

In accordance with the invention, the outer pack comprises an elongate sheet of material forming a main portion of substantially constant width and a pair of opposed side extension portions off the main portion, the portion of the main portion between the side extension portions forming the base of the rucksack, the side extension portions forming the sides of the rucksack and the main portion projecting beyond the side portions with one bottom portion forming the front of the rucksack and the other top portion, the cover flap and the rear, one part of an elongate two part releasable fastener on each side extension portion and extending adjacent and along the side edges projecting out from the main portion and the other part of the fastener extending adjacent the parallel free edges of the main portion forming the front and rear of the rucksack whereby when the side extension portions are folded inwards orthogonal to the main portion to form the sides of the rucksack and the main portion is folded upwards and back across the exposed edges of side extension portions form the base and front and rear of the rucksack, the fastener parts can be engaged to form the rucksack. It will be appreciated that this particular construction is very easily adapted to disassembly and assembly and in particular can be disassembled rapidly in an emergency situation.

In another embodiment of the invention, the main portion includes further laterally extended extension portions folded back on themselves along a fold line when the rucksack is formed and, when used as a stretcher, provide additional material to wrap around a person, the appropriate fastener being located adjacent the fold line. This further increases the amount of material available to wrap around an injured person and to provide a stretcher of sufficient width.

Ideally, the fastener is a zip fastener comprises two flexible strips with interlocking parts engaged and disengaged by a slidable connector. This is a particularly suitable form of fastener since it can be continuously mounted to allow very quick disassembly of the rucksack.

Further, it is envisaged that the rucksack may be provided with sockets for the reception of elongate bars to provide additional rigidity to the stretcher. This means that the rucksack according to the present invention, when used as a stretcher, may indeed be carried in much the same way as a conventional stretcher. Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a rucksack on a wearer's back,

Fig. 2 is a perspective simplified view of the fully assembled and open rucksack on the ground,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an outer pack forming part of the rucksack of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an inner pack forming part of the rucksack of

Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a rear plan view of a stretcher being formed from the rucksack,

Fig. 6 is a front plan view of the stretcher ready for use,

Figs. 7(a) to (c) are simplified diagrammatic views of the outer pack of the rucksack illustrated in Fig. 3, being disassembled to form a stretcher,

Fig. 8 is a plan view of another partially disassembled rucksack,

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the fully disassembled ruGksack of Fig. 8 forming a stretcher,

Fig. 10is a plan view of the rucksack of Figs. 8 and 9 showing an injured person thereon,

Fig. 11 is a rear view of portion of the rucksack when used as a stretcher, Fig. 12 is a front view of portion of the rucksack, prior to full disassembly,

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the portion of the rucksack illustrated in Fig. 12 when disassembled for when a stretcher is formed,

Fig. 14 is a side view of a removable pouch used with the rucksack,

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the pouch in one position of use,

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the pouch in another position of use, and

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the pouch in a still further position of use.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 to 7 thereof, there is illustrated a dual purpose rucksack, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The rucksack 1 comprises a main pack, indicated generally by the reference numeral 5, and, in turn, the main pack 5 comprises an outer pack 2 housing an inner pack 3 which is connected around its open mouth to the outer pack 2 by a pack connecting fastener, identified by the reference numeral 4. The inner pack 3 forms a main compartment 6 for the rucksack 1 (see Figs. 2 and 4). The zip fastener 4 comprises two flexible strips with interlocking parts engaged and disengaged by a slidable connector as is conventional. In the drawings, when the zip fastener 4 is assembled, it is identified by the reference numeral 4 and when disassembled, it is identified by the reference numerals 4(a) and 4(b). There are many zip fasteners 4 such as a pack connecting fastener, as above, and are referred to by their function, when appropriate. However, the reference numerals 4, 4(a) and 4(b) are used al the time. The outer pack 2 has a main cover flap 10 which is the cover flap for the rucksack 1 and has shoulder carrying straps 1 . The shoulder carrying straps 11 are in fact two part straps joined together by buckles and when they are separated are again identified by the reference numerals 11(a) and 11(b). Mounted on the side of the outer pack 2, again by a pouch fastener 4, namely, a zip fastener, are side expandable side pouches 15 that will be described in more detail later. The outer pack 2 incorporates further outer pack fasteners 4. Carrying handles 16 and additional straps 17, again identified by the reference numeral 17 when connected together, and by the reference numerals 17(a) and 17(b), when separated, are provided on the interior of the outer pack . These are not shown clearly in Figs. 1 to 4, but can be seen in Figs. 5 and 6. The inner pack 3 also has an inner cover flap 18 and shoulder carrying straps 19. The inner pack 3 forms the main compartment 6 for the rucksack 1.

The rucksack 1 has a front 21, a rear 22, sides 23 and a base 24, all of which are provided by the outer pack 2. These are only partially visible in Figs. 1 and 3. It will be noted that the front 21 is connected to the sides 23 by zips 4 and the rear 22 is connected to the sides 23 by further zips 4. To avoid confusion, the main cover flap is still identified by the reference numeral 10.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, it is advantageous to identify the material forming the outer pack 2 when it is laid down unfolded, as illustrated, as a main portion, indicated generally by the reference numeral 30, which in turn can be divided up into a cover flap forming portion 31, a back of the rucksack forming portion 32, a base of the rucksack forming portion 33 and a front of the rucksack forming portion 34, all formed from the one elongate piece of material, together with two side extension portions 35 for forming the sides of the rucksack.

To disassemble the rucksack 1 and referring specifically to Fig. 7, there is illustrated a simplified drawing of a view of the outer pack 2 with most attachments such as carrying handles 16 and additional straps 17 removed. Indeed, the sequence of the illustration of disassembly is not strictly correct as the outer pack 3 would collapse if the inner pack 2 was removed and the outer pack 3 unzipped. Any side pouches 15 are first removed and depending on whether it is the injured person that is carrying the rucksack 1 or not, the rucksack 1 may or may not be removed from the person's body. Then, the inner pack 3 is removed by disconnecting the zip 4 and then whole inner pack 3, together with anything contained in the main compartment 6, are simply removed and the inner pack 3 is now available for use as a substitute rucksack. Then, the outer pack fasteners 4 on the sides of the outer pack 2 are unzipped so that it will be disassembled somewhat as shown. In other words, firstly the front of the rucksack forming portion 34 will be pivoted downwards, then the two side extension portions 35 and the cover flap forming portion 31 and the back of the rucksack forming portion 32 will be pivoted outwards to lie flat, as shown in Fig. 7(c). More specifically, the carrying handles 16 and straps 17 will be shown somewhat as in Fig. 5 and they will then have to be folded outwards, as illustrated in Fig. 6. Thus, a stretcher, identified generally the reference numeral 40, is provided. Then, an injured person can be placed in position.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, which illustrate another stretcher, again identified by the reference numeral 40, it will be appreciated that the size of stretcher that would be produced normally will not be large enough in many instances and thus, in practice, there will be extension pieces. Referring to Fig. 8, which again illustrates the outer pack 2 partially folded out, there is shown the extension pieces, identified here by the bracketed letter (e) These are pieces of material folded over on themselves which can then be folded outwards, as illustrated in Fig. 9. It will, however, be appreciated that to facilitate folding, cut-outs 36 will be provided. Gussets could also be provided instead of cut-outs.

It will be noted from Figs. 8 and 9 that straps 17 have not been shown but the carrying handles 16 have been shown at the edge of the stretcher. It will be appreciated that the handles may not necessarily be mounted at the edge of the stretcher but may be mounted at a position inwards of the edge of the stretcher to allow a person to be strapped securely within the stretcher and then carried by the handles. Further, there could be straps both on the interior and at the edge of the stretcher together with handles intermediate the edges so that a person could be securely wrapped within the stretcher. Thus, the stretcher would totally encompass an injured person in much the same way as a bag or container would. In this way, an injured person could be securely wrapped or cocooned within the stretcher and then carried by people, airlifted by a helicopter or winched, for example, to safety, in certain circumstances.

Referring to Fig. 10, there is illustrated another stretcher, again identified by the reference numeral 40, illustrating an injured person strapped to the stretcher. This shows the shoulder straps 11 being used to secure the injured person in position. In Fig. 10, a considerably greater number of straps are illustrated and it will be appreciated that these can be easily provided. Further, it will be appreciated that the manner in which the zips 4 have to be used and attached will depend entirely on the way on the ^'material is being used. Various other constructions could be provided such as, for example, further flaps or extension pieces to fold over to hold an injured person's feet in position.

Referring now to Fig. 11, there is illustrated the rear of portion of a laid out rucksack forming one of the stretchers 40, incorporating a stiffening member receiving pocket 37 which projects through the cover flap forming portion 31 and the back of the rucksack forming portion 32 to receive any stiffening member such as a length of any rigid material. The stiffening member 38 which is shown separate from the cover flap forming portion 31 can be inserted into the cover flap forming portion 31 such as to lie totally within the rucksack forming portion 32 and thus, when forming the rear 22 of the rucksack 1 , will not be in the way. However, when it is desired to support an injured person's head, it will be a simple matter to move the stiffening member 38 and push it upwards under an injured person's head. Needless to say, the stiffening member 38 could, for example, be a telescopic or otherwise length adjustable member.

Referring to Figs. 12 and 13, there is illustrated an alternative construction of main cover flap 45, which cover flap 45 is so constructed as to form a hood, identified generally by the reference numeral 50 in Fig. 13. Essentially, the cover flap 45 comprises a pair of extension flaps 46 on the interior of the cover flap 45, which are releasably secured thereto by press studs 47. Ideally the extension flaps 46 incorporate conventional drawstrings 48.

Referring now specifically to Figs. 14 to 16 inclusive, each side pouch 15 comprises sides 51, a front 52, a rear 53, a cover 54 and a base 55, all of conventional construction. The half 4(a) of a pouch fastener for affixing to the outer pack 2, as previously described, is illustrated. Each side 51 incorporates a side pouch fastener 4, namely another zip fastener. Fig. 15 illustrates the zip fastener 4 assembled and the pouch 15 in its normal state. Fig. 16 illustrates the pouch fully extended with the two zip fasteners 4 on the sides 51 disengaged, while Fig. 17 shows one of the zip fasteners 4 disengaged. It will be appreciated that many types of fasteners may be used and while, in the embodiments described above, only zip fasteners have been described, other fasteners may be used, particularly, for example, for the extendable pouches and the like where fasteners such as hook and eye fasteners, similar to those sold under the Trade Mark VELCRO, may be used. Further, it will be appreciated that dependent on the amount of material being used and whether additional material is required for wrapping around an injured person or, in some other way, for holding them secure, the position of the zips will need to be moved. However, the important point to appreciate is that any number of straps, attachment devices, and so on, may be provided on the outer pack because the inner pack will always cover them, when in use as a rucksack.

In relation to the inner pack, it will be appreciated that the inner pack can be made of any suitable material and can be of relatively lightweight construction. It could, for example, be of an open work material. However, more than likely, the inner pack will be manufactured from a relatively lightweight washable material so that it can be removed from the rucksack from time to time.

Similarly, extension pieces may be manufactured from much lighter weight material than that of the rest of the outer pack.

It is also envisaged that, for example, sockets or the like could be provided to allow handles or lengths of rigid material to be inserted into the stretcher when it is formed to facilitate carrying as a conventional stretcher.

One of the advantages of the present invention is that as a rucksack is normally considered a standard piece of equipment, both for recreational off-road walkers, military personnel, mountain rescue units, civil defence, etc., the possession of a dual purpose rucksack according to the present invention would not mean that anybody would consider the carrying of the rucksack as an undue burden and, in some way, leading to the carrying of useless additional equipment.

It is envisaged that the dual purpose rucksack according to the present invention may be manufactured from a suitable material such as relatively strong fabric such as Military Specification Cordora™ nylon or other breathable material. Ideally, for example, handles will be padded webbing handles. It may also be manufactured from a suitable waterproof material and then it would have an additional use for hill walkers and other people in that at night, for example, the rucksack could be disassembled and instead of being used as a stretcher, could be used as a ground sheet, rain cover or windbreak as required.

It will be appreciated with the present invention, that the rucksack will fulfil all the functions of a standard rucksack and be virtually indistinguishable in appearance from a regular rucksack. Thus, it may only be used once or twice, if ever, as a stretcher. It will thus be appreciated that since all rucksacks have shoulder straps and waist straps, the rucksack itself will already provide straps to allow an injured person to be securely retained on the stretcher and this will be of considerable benefit. Further, it will be appreciated that the use of the handles will facilitate the carrying of the stretcher.

In one particular embodiment according to the invention, there is provided a rucksack having a size with a main compartment capacity of approximately 35 litres which is the most common size of rucksack used by day walkers and many users of rucksack. The expanding side pouches can increase the volume by 15 to 16 litres, which increase will produce a rucksack of a size greater than 35 litres, while more or less retaining the same basic structure. It is envisaged that the overall weight of the rucksack according to the invention will be approximately 2Kg which is not much greater than an ordinary rucksack of comparable size made with standard materials.

Another advantage of the present invention is that there is little assembly required and the rucksack, when used as a stretcher in accordance with the present invention can be relatively easily used in confined spaces such as caves, crevasses, and so on. Further, because of the construction, it is easy to provide sufficient strapping and webbing to secure an injured person easily. This is particularly the case when a casualty has to be lifted or carried in a vertical position or near vertical position when most stretchers are of relatively little use. It will also be appreciated that it may be particularly advantageous, in certain circumstances, to be able to convert the rucksack to a stretcher, without removing the rucksack from the injured person's back.

One of the great advantages of the present invention is that when it is being used as a stretcher, a casualty can be rested in an upright seated position, without having to remove the casualty from the stretcher. This means similarly that advantageously, they can be transported in normal vehicles.

In the specification the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising" or any variation thereof and the terms "include, includes, included and including" or any variation thereof are considered to be totally interchangeable and they should all be afforded the widest possible interpretation and vice versa.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, but may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dual purpose rucksack (1) comprising a main pack (5) of a flexible material forming a main compartment (6), the rucksack (1) being convertible into a stretcher (40) characterised in that:

the main pack (5) is a two part pack comprising an outer pack (2) and an inner pack (3) nesting inside the outer pack (2) to form the main compartment (5); and

in which the outer pack (2) comprises a plurality of outer pack fasteners (4) whereby on release of the fasteners (4), the outer pack (2) may be folded out to provide a frameless stretcher (40) and the inner pack (3) may still store the contents of the main compartment (6).

A rucksack (1) as claimed in claim 1, in which the inner pack (3) has shoulder carrying straps (19) for use as a separate rucksack when removed from the main pack (2).

3. A rucksack (1) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the inner pack (3) includes an inner cover flap (18).

4. A rucksack (1) as claimed in claim 1, in which the inner pack (3) has an open mouth, the periphery of which is releasably connected to the main pack (2) by further pack connecting fasteners (4) and in which the shoulder carrying straps (19) and, if provided, the inner cover flap (18) for the inner pack (3) are stored between the inner and outer packs (2, 3).

5. A rucksack (1) as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the outer pack fasteners (4) are so arranged that they can all be released to form the frameless stretcher (40) while the rucksack (1) is still being carried on a person's back.

6. A rucksack (1) as claimed in any preceding claim comprising shoulder carrying straps (11) on the outer pack (2) adapted for disassembly and conversion into body retaining straps for the frameless stretcher.

7. A rucksack (1) as claimed in any preceding claim in which the outer pack (2) has a main cover flap (45) for the main compartment (6), the main cover flap

(10) being so configured as to form a hood (50) for a person when laid on the stretcher (40) formed.

8. A rucksack (1) as claimed in claim 7, in which the main cover flap (45) comprises a pair of extension flaps (46) mounted on the interior of the main cover flap (45) and releasably secured thereto.

9. A rucksack (1) as claimed in claim 7 or 8 in which an elongate stiffening member receiving pocket (37) extends from the free end of the main cover flap forming portion (31) and beyond the main cover flap forming portion (31) whereby, in use, as a stretcher (40), a person's head may be rigidly retained relative to the person's torso.

10. A rucksack (1) as claimed in claim 9, in which the stiffening member (38) is housed in that portion (32) of the pocket beyond the main cover flap forming portion (31) when not required for stiffening purposes.

11. A rucksack (1) as claimed in claim 9 or 10, in which the stiffening member (38) is length adjustable.

12. A rucksack (1) as claimed in any preceding claim, in which carrying handles

(16) are affixed to the interior of the outer pack (2) to be between the packs (2, 3) in the assembled rucksack configuration.

13. A rucksack (1) as claimed in any preceding claim, in which retaining straps

(17) are affixed to the interior of the outer pack (2) to be between the packs (2, 3) in the assembled rucksack configuration.

14. A rucksack (1 ) as claimed in any preceding claim, in which additional pouches (15) are releasably connected to the outside of the outer pack by pouch fasteners (4), the pouches (15) having extendable sides (51) for increased capacity on removal from the outer pack (2).

15. A rucksack (1) as claimed in claim 14, in which each extendable side (51) comprises a side pouch fastener (4) interconnecting portions of the side (51).

16. A rucksack (1) as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the outer pack (2) comprises an elongate sheet of material forming a main portion (30) of substantially constant width and a pair of opposed side extension portions

(35) off the main portion (30), the portion (33) of the main portion (30) between the side extension portions (35) forming the base (24) of the rucksack (1), the side extension portions (35) forming the sides (23) of the rucksack (1) and the main portion (30) projecting beyond the side portions with one bottom portion (34) forming the front (21 ) of the rucksack (1 ) and the other top portion (31, 32), the cover flap (10) and the rear (22), one part (4(a)) of an elongate two part releasable fastener (4) on each side extension portion (35) and extending adjacent and along the side edges projecting out from the main portion (30) and the other part (4(b)) of the fastener (4) extending adjacent the parallel free edges of the main portion forming the front (21 ) and rear (22) of the rucksack (1) whereby when the side extension portions (35) are folded inwards orthogonal to the main portion (30) to form the sides (23) of the rucksack (1) and the main portion (30) is folded upwards and back across the exposed edges of side extension portions (35) form the base (24) and front (21 ) and rear (22) of the rucksack (1 ), the fastener parts (4a, 4b) can be engaged to form the rucksack (1 ).

^'17. A rucksack (1) as claimed in claim 16, in which the main portion (30) includes further laterally extended extension portions (32(e), 34(e), 35(e)) folded back on themselves along a fold line when the rucksack (1) is formed and, when used as a stretcher (40), provide additional material to wrap around a person, the appropriate fastener (4) being located adjacent the fold line.

18. A rucksack (1) as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the fastener (4) is a zip fastener comprising two flexible strips (4a, 4b) with interiocking parts engaged and disengaged by a slidable connector.

19. A rucksack (1) as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising sockets for the reception of elongate bars to provide additional rigidity to the stretcher.