System for fixation of flexible stretcher to hard stretcher

Abstract

This present invention describes a system for fixation of a flexible stretcher to a hard stretcher, comprising multiple belts made of flexible material affixed via a multiplicity of strap adjusters and bars to the flexible stretcher, and a flexible and adjustable cross connection belt, which, because of their disposition and technical characteristics, enable fixation of the hard stretcher, together with a victim individual, to the body of the flexible stretcher, making the movement of the individual from one stretcher to another unnecessary.

Claims

1. A system for fixation of a flexible stretcher to a hard stretcher, the system comprising: a flexible stretcher; and a set of multiple flexible safety belts sewn together and affixed to the flexible stretcher, the set having upper parallel belts positioned running parallel along the height of an individual, and lower parallel belts positioned perpendicularly to the upper belts, running across the width of the individual, the flexible safety belts also comprising: a multiplicity of upper strap adjustors fixed to the flexible stretcher and positioned on an upper portion of the upper parallel belts, having open interior regions allowing passage of the upper parallel belts individually through a central portion of the strap adjustors; a multiplicity of lower bars fixed to the flexible stretcher via multiple holes, wherein central portions of the bars that are not fixed to the flexible stretcher form intermediary voids between the bars and the flexible stretcher, the voids allowing passage of the parallel belts between the bars and the flexible stretcher, enabling adjustment of the length of the upper parallel belts according to the size of a hard stretcher and the individual; and an adjustable flexible cross-connection belt, positioned perpendicularly to and joining the parallel upper belts and fixed via seams and hook-and-loop fasteners, allowing adjustment of the height of the cross-connection belt, and impeding separation of the parallel belts, wherein the cross-connection belt allows fixation of the individual directly to the flexible stretcher, and the cross-connection belt is adjusted in height and moved behind the hard stretcher during fixation of the hard stretcher to the flexible stretcher, allowing crossing of the parallel belts for fixation of the hard stretcher holding the individual to the flexible stretcher.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the upper strap adjustors and the lower bars are of a material selected from the group consisting of: stainless steel, titanium, and carbon fiber.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a top view of the set of flexible safety belts.

(2) FIG. 2 is a top view of a hard stretcher fixed to the set of safety belts of the flexible stretcher.

(3) FIG. 3 is a top view of an individual fixed to the hard stretcher and the set of safety belts of the flexible stretcher.

(4) FIG. 4 is a top view of an upper strap adjustor.

(5) FIG. 5 is a view of a lower bar.

(6) FIG. 6 is a partial zoomed view of FIG. 1, illustrating the adjustable cross connection belt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) The invention will be described for the purposes of illustration only in connection with certain embodiments; however, it is to be understood that other objects and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent by the following description of the drawings according to the present invention. While a preferred embodiment is disclosed, this is not intended to be limiting. Rather, the general principles set forth herein are considered to be merely illustrative of the scope of the present invention and it is to be further understood that numerous changes may be made without straying from the scope of the present invention.

(8) The present invention includes a system of flexible belts applied to a flexible stretcher for fixation of the flexible stretcher to a hard stretcher (4). FIG. 1 shows a top view of the set of flexible safety belts, which comprises a multiplicity of flexible safety belts sewn together, and affixed to the flexible stretcher through a set of upper strap adjustors (1) and lower (2) bars, both being made of a resilient material, the set also comprising one flexible cross-connection belt (3) of adjustable height, fixed by seams and hook-and-loop fasteners such as Velcro. The set enables fixing a hard stretcher, as illustrated in FIG. 2, together with the rescued individual, as illustrated in FIG. 3, to the flexible stretcher. The resilient material can be a metal, such as stainless steel or titanium, or another resilient material, such as carbon fibre. The embodiment illustrated in the Figures includes a pair of upper parallel belts running along and beyond the length of the individual, and three parallel lower belts positioned perpendicularly to the upper belts, and running across the width of the individual, with the flexible cross-connection belt also positioned perpendicularly to the upper belts.

(9) The flexible cross connection belt (3) has been included in the set of flexible safety belts, because it enables fixation of an individual directly to the flexible stretcher, by joining the upper parallel belts, and simultaneously promoting the individual's comfort and safety. The cross-connection belt prevents the separation of the parallel belts when an individual is fixed to the flexible stretcher. The flexible cross connection belt become unnecessary if and when the individual is fixed to a hard stretcher (4), at which point the flexible cross-connection belt is adjusted in height and moved behind the hard stretcher, enabling the crossing of the parallel belts for fixation of the hard stretcher holding the individual, to the flexible stretcher.

(10) The upper strap adjustors (1) are fixed to the flexible stretcher via multiple holes, having their central portions left free and open for the through passage of the parallel belts, thus enabling the adjustment of the length of the parallel belts according to the hard stretcher and individual's size.

(11) The lower bars (2) are also fixed to the flexible stretcher via multiple holes, where the portions of the lower bars that are not connected to the stretcher form intermediary voids between the bars and the flexible stretcher, the voids being free for the passage of the parallel belts, thereby enabling adjustment of the length of the parallel belts according to the size of the hard stretcher and the individual.