Field stretcher with a detachable base

Abstract

A field stretcher (102) comprising a patient carrying portion (104), a region thereof being operable to form a patient retaining pocket (150) for retaining the patient on the stretcher, in use and wherein the field stretcher further comprises attachment means operable to allow attachment of a detachable base plate. The invention also extends to a detachable base plate (202) comprising attachment means (270) operable to allow attachment of the base place to the field stretcher, a sheltering means and a field stretcher assembly (302) and field stretcher kit of such.

Claims

1. A field stretcher, comprising: a patient carrying portion including a peripheral edge, a detachable base plate having a coffin-shaped configuration generally corresponding to the shape and configuration of the patient carrying portion, wherein the patient carrying portion has a lower region generally corresponding to a position of a lower portion of a patient's body, in use and tensioned by a drawstring; and an upper region generally corresponding to a position of an upper portion of a patient's body, in use and tensioned by a drawstring; and between the upper and lower portions at least one tensioning line, wherein the lower region drawstring, upper region drawstring, and at least one tensioning line form a pocket that secures and substantially envelops the patient when in use; wherein the patient carrying portion has a length, and the length of the patient carrying portion can be shortened by tensioning the upper region drawstring; a plurality of attachment means to attach the patient carrying portion to the detachable base plate disposed around a perimeter and substantially adjacent the peripheral edge of the patient carrying portion on an underside thereof; and, wherein each of the plurality of attachment means includes an aperture positioned transverse to the peripheral edge.

2. A field stretcher according to claim 1, wherein the field stretcher comprises one or more handles, to thereby facilitate the stretcher being dragged.

3. A field stretcher according to claim 1, wherein the patient carrying portion comprises one or more handles along sides thereof, wherein the handles are arranged in pairs, preferably at opposing sides of the patient carrying portion.

4. A field stretcher according to claim 1, wherein the patient carrying portion comprises at least one tensioning line to secure and retain a patient with the pocket during transport.

5. A field stretcher according to claim 4, wherein the at least one tensioning line is situated at or toward upper attachment points, which may be situated at opposing sides of the patient carrying portion, at or towards the upper end thereof, such as in the region of the shoulder and neck area of the patient.

6. A field stretcher according to claim 4, wherein the at least one tensioning line is secured at and may extend from upper attachment points and in use, pass across the chest of an injured person and over to linking means on the opposite side of the patient carrying portion.

7. A field stretcher according to claim 4, wherein the linking means comprise an aperture therethrough, through which the at least one tensioning line may be threaded.

8. A field stretcher according to claim 4, wherein the at least one tensioning line terminates in a looped region operable to engage with fixing means.

9. A field stretcher according to claim 8, wherein the fixing means fixes a securing means to lower attachment points on opposing sides, at or towards the lower end thereof of the patient carrying portion.

10. A field stretcher according to claim 1, wherein the patient carrying portion comprises one or more linking means along the sides thereof, wherein the linking means are arranged in pairs.

11. A field stretcher according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprises a plurality of loops.

12. A field stretcher according to claim 1, wherein the detachable base plate has a lower region and an upper region, wherein the lower region generally corresponds to a position of a lower portion of the patient's body, in use, and the upper region generally corresponds to a position of an upper portion of a patient's body, in use.

13. A field stretcher according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the detachable base plate comprises a layer of insulating material.

14. A field stretcher according to claim 1, comprising dragging means at or toward the end of the upper region thereof, positioned in proximity to the edge of the detachable base plate.

15. A field stretcher according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means are arranged so as to extend around the perimeter of the detachable base plate.

16. A field stretcher according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprises apertures in the material of the detachable base plate.

17. A field stretcher according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means are located so as to correspond with the position of the attachments on the underside of the field stretcher.

18. A field stretcher according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means engage with a linking member that forms an attachment between the attachment means of the base plate and the corresponding attachment means on the underside of the field stretcher.

19. A field stretcher according to claim 18, wherein the attachment means comprises a linking member as an integral part.

20. A field stretcher assembly, comprising: a field stretcher comprising a patient carrying portion including a peripheral edge, a detachable base plate having a coffin-shaped configuration generally corresponding to the shape and configuration of the patient carrying portion, a lower region generally corresponding to a position of a lower portion of a patient's body, in use and tensioned by a drawstring; and an upper region generally corresponding to a position of an upper portion of a patient's body, in use and tensioned by a drawstring; and between the upper and lower portions at least one tensioning line, wherein the lower region drawstring, upper region drawstring, and at least one tensioning line form a pocket that secures and substantially envelops the patient when in use; wherein the patient carrying portion has a length, and the length of the patient carrying portion can be shortened by tensioning the upper region drawstring; a plurality of attachment means to attach the patient carrying portion to the detachable base plate disposed around a perimeter and substantially adjacent the peripheral edge of the patient carrying portion on an underside thereof; and, wherein each of the plurality of attachment means includes an aperture positioned transverse to the peripheral edge.

21. A field stretcher kit, comprising: a field stretcher comprising a patient carrying portion including a peripheral edge, a detachable base plate having a coffin-shaped configuration generally corresponding to the shape and configuration of the patient carrying portion, wherein the patient carrying portion includes a lower region generally corresponding to a position of a lower portion of a patient's body, in use and tensioned by a drawstring; and an upper region generally corresponding to a position of an upper portion of a patient's body, in use and tensioned by a drawstring; and between the upper and lower portions at least one tensioning line, wherein the lower region drawstring, upper region drawstring, and at least one tensioning line form a pocket that secures and substantially envelops the patient when in use; wherein the patient carrying portion has a length, and the length of the patient carrying portion can be shortened by tensioning the upper region drawstring; a plurality of attachment means to attach the patient carrying portion to the detachable base plate disposed around a perimeter and substantially adjacent the peripheral edge of the patient carrying portion on an underside thereof; and, wherein each of the plurality of attachment means includes an aperture positioned transverse to the peripheral edge.

22. A field stretcher assembly, comprising: a field stretcher comprising a patient carrying portion including a peripheral edge, a detachable base plate having a coffin-shaped configuration generally corresponding to the shape and configuration of the patient carrying portion, wherein the patient carrying portion includes a lower region generally corresponding to a position of a lower portion of a patient's body, in use and tensioned by a drawstring; and an upper region generally corresponding to a position of an upper portion of a patient's body, in use and tensioned by a drawstring; and between the upper and lower portions at least one tensioning line, wherein the lower region drawstring, upper region drawstring, and at least one tensioning line form a pocket that secures and substantially envelops the patient when in use; wherein the patient carrying portion has a length, and the length of the patient carrying portion can be shortened by tensioning the upper region drawstring; a plurality of attachment means to attach the patient carrying portion to the detachable base plate disposed around a perimeter and substantially adjacent the peripheral edge of the patient carrying portion on an underside thereof; and, wherein each of the plurality of attachment means includes an aperture positioned transverse to the peripheral edge.

23. A field stretcher kit comprising: a field stretcher comprising a patient carrying portion including a peripheral edge, a detachable base plate having a coffin-shaped configuration generally corresponding to the shape and configuration of the patient carrying portion, wherein the patient carrying portion includes a lower region generally corresponding to a position of a lower portion of a patient's body, in use and tensioned by a drawstring; and an upper region generally corresponding to a position of an upper portion of a patient's body, in use and tensioned by a drawstring; and between the upper and lower portions at least one tensioning line, wherein the lower region drawstring, upper region drawstring, and at least one tensioning line form a pocket that secures and substantially envelops the patient when in use; wherein the patient carrying portion has a length, and the length of the patient carrying portion can be shortened by tensioning the upper region drawstring; a plurality of attachment means to attach the patient carrying portion to the detachable base plate disposed around a perimeter and substantially adjacent the peripheral edge of the patient carrying portion on an underside thereof; and, wherein each of the plurality of attachment means includes an aperture positioned transverse to the peripheral edge.

24. A sheltering means operable to be secured over a field stretcher, the field stretcher comprising a patient carrying portion including a peripheral edge, a detachable base plate having a coffin-shaped configuration generally corresponding to the shape and configuration of the patient carrying portion, wherein the patient carrying portion includes a lower region generally corresponding to a position of a lower portion of a patient's body, in use and tensioned by a drawstring; and an upper region generally corresponding to a position of an upper portion of a patient's body, in use and tensioned by a drawstring; and between the upper and lower portions at least one tensioning line, wherein the lower region drawstring, upper region drawstring, and at least one tensioning line form a pocket that secures and substantially envelops the patient when in use; wherein the patient carrying portion has a length, and the length of the patient carrying portion can be shortened by tensioning the upper region drawstring; a plurality of attachment means to attach the patient carrying portion to the detachable base plate disposed around a perimeter and substantially adjacent the peripheral edge of the patient carrying portion on an underside thereof; and, wherein each of the plurality of attachment means includes an aperture positioned transverse to the peripheral edge.

25. A sheltering means operable to be secured over a field stretcher assembly, the field stretcher assembly comprising: a field stretcher comprising a patient carrying portion including a peripheral edge, a detachable base plate having a coffin-shaped configuration generally corresponding to the shape and configuration of the patient carrying portion, wherein the patient carrying portion includes a lower region generally corresponding to a position of a lower portion of a patient's body, in use and tensioned by a drawstring; and an upper region generally corresponding to a position of an upper portion of a patient's body, in use and tensioned by a drawstring; and between the upper and lower portions at least one tensioning line, wherein the lower region drawstring, upper region drawstring, and at least one tensioning line form a pocket that secures and substantially envelops the patient when in use; wherein the patient carrying portion has a length, and the length of the patient carrying portion can be shortened by tensioning the upper region drawstring; and a plurality of attachment means to attach the patient carrying portion to the detachable base plate disposed around a perimeter and substantially adjacent the peripheral edge of the patient carrying portion on an underside thereof; and, wherein each of the plurality of attachment means includes an aperture positioned transverse to the peripheral edge.

Description

(1) FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a field stretcher according to the first aspect of the present invention

(2) FIG. 2 shows an under-plan view of the underside of a field stretcher according to the first aspect of the present invention, in use, showing the attachment means thereon

(3) FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a detachable base plate according to the second aspect of the present invention showing insulation material thereon

(4) FIG. 4 shows a under-plan view of the underside of the assembled field stretcher and detachable base plate according to the third aspect of the present invention showing the base plate attached to the field stretcher

(5) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the underside of the assembled field stretcher and detachable base plate according to the third aspect of the present invention in a patient carrying configuration, in use, showing the base plate attached to the field stretcher

(6) FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the assembled field stretcher and detachable base plate according to the third aspect of the present invention, in use, having a patient retained therein

(7) FIG. 7 shows perspective view of the upper region of the field stretcher shown in FIG. 6.

(8) FIG. 8 shows a close up perspective view of the linking means shown in FIG. 6.

(9) Referring to FIG. 1 there is provided a field stretcher 102 having a patient carrying portion 104. The patient carrying portion 104 is generally coffin shaped in plan, being an irregular hexagon, to mirror the general shape of a human body. In this manner, the carrying portion 104 is generally elongate and has a lower region 106, where a lower part of the patient's body is situated in use, and an upper region 108 where an upper part of the patient's body is situated, in use.

(10) Pairs of handles 110 and 112 are situated at edges of the stretcher 102. A first pair of handles 110 is situated on either side of the patient carrying portion 104 towards the lower region 106 thereof and a second pair of handles 112 is situated on opposing sides of the patient carrying portion 104, at or towards the upper end of the patient carrying portion 104, corresponding generally to the position of a patient's shoulder and neck area of the injured person, in use.

(11) The lower region 106 comprises an upstanding covering portion 114. As the patient carrying portion 104 is formed from a fabric material, the upstanding covering portion 114 is shown as being folded flat in FIG. 1.

(12) Around the edge of the lower region 106 of the patient carrying portion 104 is a first drawstring 116 housed in a channel (not shown). The first drawstring 116 has a toggle 118 thereon situated half way along the upstanding covering portion 114. Around the edge of the upper region 108 of the patient carrying portion 104 is a second drawstring (not shown) housed in a channel (not shown). The second drawstring (not shown) has a toggle 119 thereon situated half way along the longitudinal end of the upper region 108 of the field stretcher 102.

(13) Linking means, in the form of a pair of handles 120 and 122 are situated along the edges of the stretcher 102. A first linking means, in the form of a pair of handles 120 is situated on either side of the patient carrying portion 104 towards the lower region 106 thereof and a second linking means, in the form of a pair of handles 122 is situated on opposing sides of the patient carrying portion 104, at or towards the upper end of the patient carrying portion 104. Securing means 124, in the form of elasticated line are situated at and extend from upper attachment points 126 which are situated on opposing sides of the patient carrying portion 104, at or towards the upper end of the patient carrying portion 104, in the region of the shoulder and neck area of the injured person. The securing means are operable to be threaded through the apertures of the linking means 120 and 122. The securing means 124 are operable to be fixed to lower attachment points 126 on opposing side of the patient carrying portion 104, at or towards the lower end of the patient carrying portion 104 by fixing means in the form of a karabiner 128.

(14) The patient carrying portion 104 comprises a handle 130 at the longitudinal end of the upper region 108 of the patient carrying portion 104.

(15) Referring to FIG. 2, there is provided the underside of the field stretcher 102 comprising a patient carrying portion 104, in use. Attachment means 140 are situated around the perimeter of the underside of the field stretcher 102. The patient carrying portion 104 comprises a handle 130, at the longitudinal end of the upper region of the patient carrying portion 104.

(16) Referring to FIG. 3, there is provided a detachable base plate 202. The detachable base plate 202 is generally coffin shaped in plan, being an irregular hexagon, to mirror the general shape of a human body. In this manner, the detachable base plate is generally elongate and has a lower region 206 and an upper region 208 corresponding to the lower region 106 and the upper region 108 of the patient carrying portion 104 of the field stretcher 102. A first section of insulation material 250, comprising a single layer, is situated on the upper surface of the detachable base plate 202 in the lower region 206 and a second section of insulation material 252, comprising a single layer, in the upper region 208 of the detachable base plate 202. A plurality of attachment means (apertures) 209 are situated around the perimeter of the detachable base plate 202.

(17) The detachable base plate 202 comprises a handle 260, at the longitudinal end of the upper region 208 of the detachable base plate 202.

(18) Referring to FIG. 4, there is provided the underside of the assembled field stretcher and base plate 302. The assembled field stretcher and base 302 comprises the field stretcher 102 attached to the detachable base plate 202. Linking members, in the form of a tag 370 allow attachment between the attachment means (not shown) of the field stretcher 102 and the attachment means (apertures) 270 of the base plate 202.

(19) Pairs of handles 110 and 112 are situated at the edges of the stretcher 102. Securing means 124, shown not in use, are situated at and extend from upper attachment points (not shown). Fixing means, in the form of a karabiner 128 are situated at lower attachment points 126 operable to fix the securing means 124 to lower attachment points 126 on opposing sides of the patient carrying portion. Around the lower region of the patient carrying portion is a first drawstring 116 housed in a channel (not shown). The first drawstring 116 has a toggle 118 thereon situated halfway along the upstanding covering portion 114, shown as being folded flat in FIG. 4.

(20) The assembled field stretcher and base plate 302 comprises a handle 260 at the longitudinal end of the upper region of the base plate 202, as shown in FIG. 3. The field stretcher comprises a handle 130, at the longitudinal end of the upper region of the patient carrying portion, as shown in FIG. 2.

(21) Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown the underside of the assembled field stretcher and base plate 302, in use, having a patient (not shown) retained therein. The assembled field stretcher and base 302 comprises the field stretcher 102 attached to the base plate 202, in use. Linking members, in the form of a tag 370 allow attachment between the attachment means (not shown) of the field stretcher 102 and the attachment means in the form of an aperture 270 of the detachable base plate 202, as shown in FIG. 4. The assembled field stretcher and base plate 302 comprises a handle 260 at the longitudinal end of the upper region of the base plate 202. The field stretcher 102 comprises a handle 130 at the longitudinal end of the upper region of the patient carrying portion, as shown in FIG. 2.

(22) Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown an assembled field stretcher and base plate 302, in use, having a patient 380 retained therein. The assembled field stretcher and base 302 comprises the field stretcher 102 attached to the base plate 202, in use. The sides of the stretcher have been pulled up over the sides of the patient 380 and the covering portion has been pulled up over the patient's feet. The first drawstring 116 has been drawn so that the lower end of the stretcher 102 forms a pocket (150) in which the patient 380 is retained. A second drawstring 117 has been drawn so that the upper end of the stretcher 102 encloses the patient's head. This is facilitated by holding the toggles 118 and 119 and pulling the drawstrings 116 and 117 therethrough. The toggles 118 and 119 serve to hold the drawstrings 116 and 117 in the drawn configuration.

(23) Pairs of handles 110 and 112 are situated at the edges of the stretcher 102. A first pair 110 is situated on either side of the patient carrying portion 104 towards the lower region 106 thereof and a second pair of handles 112 is situated on opposing sides of the patient carrying portion 104, at or towards the upper end 108 of the patient carrying portion 104, corresponding to the region of the shoulder and neck area of the injured person, in use. Linking means, in the form of a pair of handles 120 and 122 are also situated at edges of the stretcher 102. A first linking means, in the form of a pair of handles 120 is situated on either side of the patient carrying portion 104 towards the lower region 106 thereof and a second linking means, in the form of a pair of handles 122 is situated on opposing sides of the patient carrying portion 104, at or towards the upper end 108 of the patient carrying portion 104. Securing means 124, in the form of elasticated line are situated at and extend from upper attachment points 126 which are situated on opposing sides of the patient carrying portion 104, at or towards the upper end of the patient carrying portion 104, in the region of the shoulder and neck area of the injured person. The securing means 124 are threaded through the apertures of the first and second linking means 120 and 122 and overlap across the body of the patient 380. The securing means 124 are fixed to lower attachment points 126 on opposing side of the patient carrying portion 104, at or towards the lower end 106 of the patient carrying portion 104 by fixing means in the form of a karabiner 128.

(24) The base plate 202 is attached to the field stretcher 102 by linking members, in the form of a tag 370. The linking members 370 allow attachment between the attachments means (not shown) of the field stretcher 102 and the attachment means (not shown) of the base plate 202.

(25) The assembled field stretcher and base plate 302 comprises a handle 260 at the longitudinal terminus of the upper region (not shown) of the base plate 202. The field stretcher 102 comprises a handle 130, at the longitudinal end of the upper region 108 of the patient carrying portion (not shown), as shown in FIG. 1.

(26) Referring to FIG. 7, there is provided the upper region 108 of the assembled field stretcher and base plate 302 shown in FIG. 6. Upper attachment points 126 are situated on opposing sides of the patient carrying portion (not shown) in the region of the shoulder and neck area of the patient. Securing means, in the form of elasticated line 124 are situated at and extend from upper attachment points 126 and pass through the apertures of linking means (not shown) situated along the edges of the patient carrying portion (not shown) of the stretcher 102.

(27) Referring the FIG. 8, there is provided a close up perspective view of linking means 120, in the form of a pair of handles (one handle shown) situated along the sides of the field stretcher 102. Securing means 124, in the form of elasticated line (one shown) are threaded through the apertures of the linking means 120.

(28) A field stretcher made in accordance with the present invention allows a patient to be retained within a pocket of the stretcher 102 and thus when transported, for example by dragging handles 110 and 112, the patient is less likely to roll off the stretcher 102. Also, as discussed above, in the theatre of war, soldiers often sustain major injuries to their feet and legs and, in severe cases, the legs may be removed, such as by land mines, for example. In such a scenario, the elongate extent of the field stretcher of the present invention can be significantly reduced to accommodate a person in this condition securely. The stretcher has the further advantage that the handles are situated at the right positions with regard to the patient, because the length of the stretcher 102 is adjusted to suit the patient.

(29) The stretcher has the further advantage that the securing means to retain the patient securely within the patient carrying portion are secured at or towards attachment points situated at or towards the upper end thereof, in the region of the head and shoulders of the patient. When in use, the stretcher prevents excessive movement of the head and neck of the injured person.

(30) The attachment of the detachable base plate 202 to the field stretcher 102 enables the field stretcher to be utilised on different terrains. In addition, when attached, the base plate provides insulation from the ground for an injured person and also provides support to the spinal region of the patient.

(31) Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

(32) All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

(33) Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

(34) The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.