WO2024013611A1

WO2024013611A1 - Improved rescue stretcher assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2024013611A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/056918
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rudi DENKINGER; Andreas Baumann; Heiner Hörsch
Original assignee: Magirus Gmbh
Priority date: 2022-07-15
Filing date: 2023-07-04
Publication date: 2024-01-18

Abstract

Rescue stretcher assembly (10) for a rescue vehicle (1), comprising at least a carrier (11) configured to be selectively fixed to a rescue cage (5) of the rescue vehicle (1), the carrier (11) comprising a rail portion (20) extending along a longitudinal axis (A) and provided with at least a sledge (30) configured to slide within the rail portion (20), the sledge (30) being configured to allow the connection of a lanyard (13) configured to allow the connection of a stretcher (12) to the carrier (11).

Description

IMPROVED RESCUE STRETCHER ASSEMBLY

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No . 102022000014923 filed on July 15 , 2022 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention concerns a stretcher assembly, in particular a stretcher assembly for a rescue vehicle .

The present invention finds its preferred, although not exclusive , application in a stretcher assembly for rescue vehicles such as firefighting vehicles . Reference will be made to this application by way of example below .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rescue vehicles such as firefighting vehicles are used also for rescue operations such as evacuation of people from buildings and, in particular, from windows of such buildings .

However, existing stretchers suf fers of many disadvantages .

First , standard stretchers are not suitable for transporting heavy people . Indeed, overweight people must be transported at an angle , otherwise the weight of the abdomen will rest on their lungs and they will not be able to breathe . However, such inclined transport increases the probability of fatal inj uries to the rescued person and, in any case , providing uncomfortable feelings to this latter .

Indeed, there is usually need to transport the stretcher for at least a portion outside the window thereby exposing both rescuers and rescue people to a high possibility of falling down . This is necessary because the rescue cage is usually too big to pass through building windows .

Moreover, the maneuverability of such stretcher is limited, thereby imposing to rescuers to move manually the stretcher in a very uncomfortable way . Accordingly, the risk of inj uries increase , due to the movements that need to be accomplished by rescuers and to the weight of the transported person .

Therefore , the need is felt to improve existing rescue stretchers assemblies for rescue vehicles in order to address the aforementioned problems .

An aim of the present invention is to satis fy the above mentioned needs in a cost-ef fective and optimi zed manner .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned aim is reached by a ( rescue stretcher assembly, a rescue cage and a rescue vehicle as claimed in the appended set of claims .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is described in the following, by way of a non-limiting example , with reference to the attached drawings wherein :

• Figure 1 is a schematic lateral view of a rescue vehicle comprising a ladder carrying a rescue cage provided with a rescue stretcher assembly according to the invention;

• Figure 2 is a perspective view of a rescue cage comprising a rescue stretcher assembly according to the invention;

• Figure 3 is a perspective view of an element of the rescue stretcher assembly according to the invention;

• Figure 4 is a longitudinal section view of the element of figure 3 ;

• Figures 5 , 6 and 7 are longitudinal section view of a portion of the rescue stretcher as sembly according to the invention in di f ferent operational conditions ;

• Figures 8A, 8B, 8C are di f ferent schematic lateral views showing a rescue operation of a person to be evacuated via a window of a building via the rescue stretcher assembly according to the invention in di f ferent operational phases .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 discloses a rescue vehicle 1 , such as a firefighting vehicle comprising essentially a body 2 movable on ground G and provided with a ladder assembly 3 . Exemplarily, the ladder assembly 3 comprises a movable and/or turntable base 3 ' and a ladder system 4 , e . g . a telescopic ladder system 4 .

The ladder system 4 is dimensioned and controllable via control means of the vehicle 1 to reach buildings B, such as openings W, e . g . a window or a balcony, realized through such building B .

The vehicle 1 comprises a rescue cage 5 that is carried by the ladder assembly 3 , in particular by a terminal portion of the ladder system 4 . The rescue cage may be carried by such terminal portion in a fixed or in a movable manner with respect to ladder system longitudinal axis .

As better shown in figure 2 , the rescue cage 5 comprises essentially a plurality of lateral walls 6 and a floor 7 defining a space 8 configured to house rescuers . In the shown embodiment , the lateral walls 6 entirely extends vertically along the perimeter of floor 7 and are reali zed via plates and tubes . Usually, the floor 7 comprises at least a plate that is connected to the aforementioned terminal portion of the ladder system 4 .

According to the invention, it is provided a rescue stretcher assembly 10 comprising at least a carrier 11 configured to be selectively fixed to the rescue cage 5 and configured to allow the coupling of at least a lanyard 13 configured to allow the connection of a stretcher body 12 . In the peculiar disclosed embodiment , the rescue stretcher assembly 10 comprises a pair of carrier 11 that are selectively fixed to the rescue cage 5 distanced one with respect to the other and a pair of lanyard 13 for each carrier . However, it is clear that according to lanyard shape and of dimension of stretcher body 12 , the number of carrier 11 and of lanyard 13 may vary . To sake of simplicity, the following description will be adherent to the exemplarily shown embodiment in the attached figures .

Making reference to figures 5 to 7 , each carrier 11 is configured to be fixed to a pair of flanges 15 , 16 fixedly carried by the rescue cage 5 , preferably carried by the floor 7 at the same or beneath the step level of the rescue cage 5 . Each flange 15 , 16 is configured to allow the coupling of a carrier 11 as detailed below .

In particular, each carrier 11 comprise a rail portion 20 configured to define a space 21 suitable for allowing the motion of a sledge 30 as detailed below . The rail portion 20 extends along a longitudinal axi s A for a length that is greater with respect to floor length of the rescue cage 5 along the same axis direction . In other words , the rail portion 20 extends cantilevered with respect to the floor 7 of the rescue cage 5 and in particular underneath the latter .

As exemplarily shown in figure 4 , the rail portion 20 has a quadrangular shape , in particular rectangular shape . The space 21 is delimited on all the edges of the quadrangular shape by the rail portion 20 except for an opening 22 that is reali zed on the lower edge of the rail portion 20 , i . e . on the edge opposite to the rescue cage 5 .

In particular, such opening 22 extends entirely on rail portion 20 along the longitudinal axis A and is closed axially along such direction by a first and a second stop plates 24 , 25 fixedly carried by rail portion 20 . In particular, such stop plates 24 , 25 close the space 21 axially along longitudinal axis A.

Moreover, front stop plate 25 may further define a opening 25 ' configured to provide an additional fixation point for lanyard 11 .

Each rail portion furthermore comprise a reinforcing portion 26 that is carried by the rail portion 20 above this latter, i . e . closer to the rescue cage 5 , opposite to the opening 22 . The reinforcing portion 27 defines together with rail portion 20 a space 27 that extends parallel to the space 21 of the rail portion 20 .

The reinforcing portion 26 has , in the exemplarily shown embodiment , a quadrangular shape and in particular a tapered height that increases from a minimum height in correspondence of the a first stop plate 24 till a maximum height in intermediate portion of the rail portion 20 between the first stop plate 24 and the second stop plate 25 . Accordingly, also space 27 has a tapered height.

In particular the reinforce portion 26 is realized as one piece with the rail portion 20.

Each carrier 11 comprises a pair of coupling portions 28, 29 configured to allow connection with the rescue cage 5, i.e. with the aforementioned flanges 15, 16. In detail, the coupling portions 28, 29 are respectively carried by the terminal portion of the reinforcing portion 26 opposite to the second stop element 25, i.e. in an intermediate position of carrier 11 and by the rail portion 20 in the longitudinal terminal portion carrying the first stop element 24.

In further detail, the coupling portion 28, 29, being carried respectively by reinforcing portion 26 and by rail portion 20 are placed at different heights one with respect to the other.

In particular, each coupling portion 28, 29 is shaped as a hook and each flange 15, 16 defines a pin 15' , 16' that preferably extends perpendicularly with respect to longitudinal axis A and that is configured to mate with hook of the coupling portions 28, 29.

Referring back to sledge 30, each carrier comprises at least a sledge 30. In the advantageous described embodiment, two sledges 30 are present for each carrier.

As better shown in figures 3 and 4, each sledge 30 comprises a plate 31 extending vertically, i.e. in a direction perpendicular to longitudinal axis A and defining an opening 32 on a first extremity and a pair of pins 33 on a second extremity . The opening 32 is suitable for providing a connection point to lanyard 13 , e . g . via carabiners or any other suitable means .

In particular, the second extremity is dimensioned to be housed within space 21 and the first extremity is configured to be housed outside space 21 . The plate 31 is dimensioned so as to pass through opening 22 .

The pins 33 are coaxial along a transversal direction, i . e . along an axi s C that is perpendicular to axis A and to the aforementioned vertical direction . Each pin 33 carries in a movable manner a rolling wheel 34 . Each rolling wheel

34 has a diameter configured to allow the movement , by contact , within space 21 .

Preferably, the sledge 30 may further comprise spacers

35 coupled to each side of plate 31 along transversal axis C and configured to cooperate by s liding with opening 22 in order to allow the passage of dirty elements in space 20 .

Each carrier 11 comprises a locking mechanism 40 configured to maintain the carrier 11 coupled to the rescue cage 5 via coupling means 28 , 29 . In particular, the locking mechanism 40 is a mechanical device configured to assume a first position configured to lock coupling means 28 , 29 in their operational coupled position and a second position configured to allow unlocking of coupling means 28 , 29 with respect to rescue cage 5 .

The locking means 40 are preferably housed within space 27 and are configured to selectively cooperate with a portion of one of flanges 15 , 16 .

Locking means 40 comprises essentially a sliding block 41 configured to slide over rail portion 20 and an actuator rod 42 coupled to a first extremity to the sliding block 41 and a second extremity coupled to a handle pin 44 . The handle pin 44 is configured to slide through an opening 43 reali zed through the reinforcing portion 26 and configured to extend outside the latter so as to be gripped by a user .

The sliding block 41 defines a cavity 45 extending along longitudinal axis A and configured to house elastic means 46 , e . g . a helicoidally spring, and a movable pin 47 .

The elastic means 46 are operatively interposed between the sliding block 41 and the movable pin 47 . The sliding block 41 further defines an opening 48 extending along longitudinal axis A and through which the pin 47 protrudes and can move along its longitudinal extremities .

In particular, the pin 47 is fixedly coupled to the reinforce portion 26 so that i f the sliding block 41 is moved he is fixed to this latter thereby providing a discharge point for the force exerted by elastic means 46 that can extend or retract according to the relative motion of the sliding block 41 with respect to pin 47 .

It is noticed that , is use , i . e . when carrier 11 is coupled to rescue cage 5 , the sliding block 41 is placed below the rescue cage 5 and occupy a space X that can be selectively freed by moving sliding block 41 as detailed in the description of the operation detailed below .

It is furthermore noticed that flanges 15 , 16 each defines an inclined portion 15 ' ’ extending below pin 15 ' , 16 ' configured to cooperate by contact with sliding block 41 . In detail , such inclined portion 15 ' ’ is inclined so that the forces acting by contact between sliding block 41 and the inclined portion 15 ' ’ due to elastic means 46 push the sliding block 41 to occupy the space X that is j ust below the inclined portion 15 ' ’ . In detail , the inclined portion 15 ' ’ therefore defines an acute angle with respect to longitudinal axis A faced to the sliding block .

The reinforce portion 26 may comprise , in the neighborhood of opening 43 a visual means (not shown) reali zed on walls of the reinforce portion 26 to indicate the locked or unlocked position of handle pin 44 in opening 43 in order to ensure rescuers that the carrier is safely locked .

The carrier may further comprise detent means (not shown) configured to maintain the pin 43 in the unlocked condition, e . g . via a hook or magnetic means or via dedicated actuators , in order to avoid direct manual actuation by the rescuer .

In case , in addition to the aforementioned visual means signaling means may be added to signal the unlocked condition of the carrier or an improper locked condition, i . e . an improper engagement condition of locking means 40 .

Each carrier 11 further comprises detention means 50 configured to maintain the at least one sledge 30 in contact with the second stop element 25 .

In particular, the detention means 50 comprises a magnet carried by such second stop element 25 and preferably housed within the space 21 . Such magnet is configured to maintain the sledge coupled to the rail portion 21 till a predetermine force is imparted on plate 31 .

The operation of the embodiment of the invention as described above is the following .

Figures 6 and 7 discloses a disassembly operation of the carriers 11 from the rescue cage 5 .

The rear coupling means 29 is coupled to the respective pin 16 ' and the actuator rod 42 is moved via handle pin 44 to slide on the rail portion 20 thereby freeing the space X from the presence of sliding block 41 . In particular, the actuator rod 42 recall the sliding block 41 towards the second stop element 25 thereby compressing elastic means 46 and allowing the vertical motion o f the carrier 11 . In this way, the coupling elements 28 , 29 can be easily disengaged from the respective coupling pins 15 ' , 16 ' .

Even i f not graphically shown, the assembly operation operates similarly . The actuator rod 42 is release and the sliding block 41 is pushed by inclined wall underneath flanges 15 by recall of elastic means 46 . Accordingly, due to the peculiar shape of the coupling elements 28 , 29 they are automatically coupled again to the coupling pins 15 ' , 16 ' thanks to the movement imparted by elastic means 46 . When the sliding block 41 occupies the space X, no vertical motion of the rail portion 20 is possible and the carrier is safely locked to rescue cage 5 .

Making reference to figures 8A, 8B and 8C, the rescuer may safely place the rescued person in stretcher 12 within the building and connect one lanyard 13 to each carrier 11 ( figure 8A) passing through window W . Then, the ladder system 4 may li ft cage 5 so that the lanyards 13 li ft up one side of the stretcher 12 and the other may be maintained by the rescuer ( figure 8B ) . Then, the rescuer may push the stretcher 12 outside window W and connect another lanyard 13 to each carrier 11 so that the ladder system may control cage 5 to move away from building B .

In view of the foregoing, the advantages of rescue stretcher assembly, rescue cage and rescue vehicle according to the invention are apparent . In particular, the disclosed rescue stretcher assembly has a very quick and safe attachment to a rescue cage that allows to decrease mounting time during emergency .

Moreover, the disclosed rescue stretcher assembly can be applied to any rescue cage , provided that a pair of flanges 15 , 16 are reali zed or attached thereon, i . e . with small minor modi fications .

The locking and unlocking concept is intuitive and the incorrect operation of the latter is avoided thanks to visual or signaling means .

The system is substantially compact , i . e . it compri ses mainly the two carriers , that can be stored in the ladder assembly and used by request .

The extension of rail portions over the cage extens ion allows to pass inside windows thereby avoiding full load unsafe condition as in known stretcher systems .

According to the preceding, the physical ef fort of rescuers is reduced since the rescued person can be moved substantially without ef forts via rail portion

The proposed system is robust and adapt also to transport heavy rescued persons and can be used with any typology of stretcher by providing a suitable lanyard .

It is clear that modi fications can be made to the described rescue stretcher assembly, rescue cage and rescue vehicle which do not extend beyond the scope of protection defined by the claims.

For example, as said, also one carrier may be used with a proper lanyard assembly to carry a stretcher.

Moreover, the shape of rail portion or of reinforce portion may vary, such as its length.

The locking mechanism may be realized in different manner such as the proposed sledge and its number carried by rail portion.

Claims

1.- Rescue stretcher assembly (10) for a rescue vehicle (1) , said rescue stretcher assembly (10) comprising at least a carrier (11) , said carrier (11) being configured to be selectively fixed to a rescue cage (5) of said rescue vehicle (1) , said carrier (11) comprising a rail portion (20) extending along a longitudinal axis (A) and provided with at least a sledge (30) housed in a sliding manner within said rail portion (20) , said sledge (30) being configured to allow the connection of a lanyard (13) , said lanyard (13) being configured to allow the connection of a rescue stretcher (12) .

2.- Rescue stretcher assembly according to claim 1, wherein said rail portion (20) defines a space (21) extending along said longitudinal axis (A) between a pair of stop elements (24, 25) and opened via an opening (22) , said sledge (30) being slidably carried in said space (21) and extending through said opening (22) .

3.- Rescue stretcher assembly according to claim 2, further comprising detention means (50) configured to maintain said sledge (30) in contact to one between said stop elements (24, 25) till a predetermined force is applied to said sledge (30) .

4.- Rescue stretcher assembly according to claim 3, wherein said detention means (50) comprises a magnet.

5.- Rescue stretcher assembly according to any of claims

1 to 4, wherein said carrier (11) further comprise a reinforce portion (26) coupled to said rail portion (20) on an opposite side with respect to said sledge (30) , said reinforce portion (26) defining a space (27) and extending from one of the longitudinal extremities of said rail portion (20) to a point intermediate with respect to said longitudinal extremities.

6.- Rescue stretcher assembly according to any of claims

2 to 5, wherein said sledge (30) comprises a plate (31) dimensioned to be housed through said opening (22) , said plate (31) defining an opening (32) from one side and carrying a pair of pins (33) from the opposite side, said sledge (30) comprising rolling means (34) carried by each pin (33) and configured to be housed within said space (21) and to cooperate by contact with said rail portion (20) in order to allow the movement of said plate (31) along said longitudinal axis (A) direction.

7.- Rescue stretcher assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said carrier (11) comprises coupling means (15, 16) configured to allow the connection of said carrier (11) to said rescue cage (5) .

8.- Rescue stretcher assembly according to claim 7 and 5, wherein one between said coupling means (15, 16) is carried by said reinforce portion (26) in said intermediate point and the other between said coupling means (15, 16) is carried by said rail portion (20) in a longitudinal terminal portion opposite to the one that carries the reinforce portion (26) .

9.- Rescue stretcher assembly according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising locking means (40) configured to selectively lock said carrier (11) with respect to said rescue cage (5) .

10.- Rescue stretcher assembly according to claim 9, wherein said locking means (40) comprises a sliding block (41) slidable on said rail portion (20) and an actuator rod (42) connected to a first extremity to said sliding block and to a second extremity to a handle pin (43) , said sliding block (41) being configured to selectively occupy a space (X) between said rail portion (20) and said rescue cage (5) in function of the movement imparted by said actuator rod (42) .

11.- Rescue stretcher assembly according to claim 10, wherein said handle pin (43) is housed within an opening (44) realized in said carrier (11) .

12.- Rescue stretcher assembly according to claim 11, wherein said carrier (11) comprises visual or signaling means configured to show/signal to a rescuer the engagement position of said slide block (41) .

13.- Rescue stretcher assembly according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein said sliding block (41) defines a cavity (45) configured to house elastic means (46) and a pin (47) , said elastic means (46) being operatively interposed between said sliding block (41) and said pin (47) , said pin (47) being fixedly carried by said rescue cage (5) .

14.- Rescue stretcher assembly according to any of claims 10 to 13, when depending on claim 5, wherein said locking mechanism (40) is housed within said space (27) defined by said reinforcing portion (26) .

15.- Rescue cage (5) comprising a floor (7) and a plurality of lateral walls (6) defining a space (8) and comprising a rescue stretcher assembly (10) according to any of the preceding claims, said rescue stretcher assembly (10) being connected to one between said floor (7) and said lateral walls (6) .

16.- Rescue cage according to claim 15, wherein said rail portion (20) extends over one of the dimensions of said floor (7) and underneath this latter.

17.- Rescue cage according to claim 15 or 16, wherein said rescue cage defines a first and a second flange (15, 16) each carrying a pin (15', 16' ) , said carrier (11) being connectable to said pins (15' , 16' ) .

18.- Rescue vehicle (1) comprising a body (2) movable on grounds and a ladder assembly (3) carried by said body (2) , said rescue vehicle (1) comprising a rescue cage (5) as claimed in any of claims.