A METHOD OF RESCUING A SUBJECT POSITIONED IN A VEHICLE AND A RESCUE DEVICE

Abstract

A rescue device for moving a subject comprising i) a brace member for securing the arms and the torso of the subject together, the brace member comprising i. a central section; ii. a first and second lateral section, and iii. fastening means; wherein the brace member is capable of forming a loop for securing the arms and the torso of the subject together by fastening the first lateral section to the second lateral section with the fastening means, and ii) a ribbon member pair for moving and/or stabilizing a subject wearing the brace member when said rescue device is in use, the ribbon member pair comprising i. a first ribbon member having a first portion connected to the brace member; and ii. a second ribbon member having a second portion connected to the brace member.

Claims

1. A method of rescuing a subject positioned in a vehicle, wherein a rescue device is used for moving the subject, the rescue device comprising i) a brace member for securing the arms and the torso of the subject together, the brace member comprising i. a central section for holding the back of a subject when in use; ii. a first lateral section extending from the central section; iii. a second lateral section extending from the central section opposite to the first lateral section; and iv. fastening means; wherein said brace member is capable forming a loop for securing the arms and the torso of the subject together by fastening the first lateral section to the second lateral section with the fastening means, the loop defining a longitudinal direction and a perimeter, and wherein said fastening means is capable of adjusting the perimeter of the loop; and ii) a ribbon member pair for moving and/or stabilizing the a subject wearing the brace member, the ribbon member pair comprising i. a first ribbon member having a first portion connected to the brace member; and ii. a second ribbon member having a second portion connected to the brace member; wherein the first ribbon member and the second ribbon member both comprise anchoring means for anchoring the first ribbon member and the second ribbon member to a fixed element of the cabin of the vehicle; and wherein the method comprises the steps of: placing the rescue device between the subject and the backrest of the seat such that the central section of the brace member is facing the back of the torso of the subject; fastening the first lateral section and the second lateral section together by the fastening means to form the loop extending in the longitudinal direction along the torso of the subject to hold the arms and the torso of said subject together; and moving and/or stabilizing the subject by pulling at least one of the first ribbon member and the second ribbon member of the ribbon member pair in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the loop; wherein the method comprises the step of stabilizing the subject by anchoring said anchoring means to a fixed element of the vehicle.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the rescue device comprises a further ribbon member pair for moving and/or stabilizing, the further ribbon member pair comprising i) a third ribbon member having a third portion connected to the central section of the brace member; and ii) a fourth ribbon member having a fourth portion connected to said central section of the brace member; wherein in the step of placing the rescue device between the subject and the backrest of the seat, the third ribbon member and the fourth ribbon member are respectively arranged around each of the shoulders and subsequently under the underarms of said subject; and wherein said subject is moved by pulling the further ribbon member pair.

3. A rescue device for moving a subject in a vehicle comprising i) a brace member for securing the arms and the torso of the subject together, the brace member comprising i. a central section for holding the back of a subject when in use; ii. a first lateral section extending from the central section; iii. a second lateral section extending from the central section opposite to the first lateral section; and iv. fastening means; wherein the brace member is capable of forming a loop for securing the arms and the torso of the subject together by fastening the first lateral section to the second lateral section with the fastening means, the loop defining a longitudinal direction and a perimeter, and wherein said fastening means is capable of adjusting the perimeter of the loop; and ii) a ribbon member pair for moving and/or stabilizing a subject wearing the brace member when said rescue device is in use, the ribbon member pair comprising i. a first ribbon member having a first portion connected to the brace member; and ii. a second ribbon member having a second portion connected to the brace member; wherein the first ribbon member and the second ribbon member both comprise anchoring means for anchoring the first ribbon member and the second ribbon member to a fixed element of the cabin of the vehicle wherein the first ribbon member and the second ribbon member also comprise means for adjusting the length of said first ribbon member and second ribbon member between the anchoring means and the corresponding first portion and second portion; and means to detach said ribbon members from the brace member.

4. The rescue device according to claim 3, wherein i. the first lateral section and the second lateral section comprise the fastening means; and ii. the first portion of the first ribbon member and the second portion of the second ribbon member are connected to the central section of the brace member.

5. The rescue device according to claim 4, wherein the first portion and the second portion are hingedly connected to the brace member for pivoting said ribbon members about the longitudinal direction of the loop.

6. The rescue device according to claim 5, wherein the first ribbon member is hingedly connected by a first flap section and the second ribbon member is hingedly connected by a second flap section.

7. The rescue device according to claim 4, wherein the fastening means comprises Velcro.

8. The rescue device according to claim 3, wherein the anchoring means is a hook.

9. The rescue device according to claim 3, wherein the first ribbon member and/or the second ribbon member are respectively detachably connected to the brace member.

10. The rescue device according to claim 3, wherein the rescue device comprises a further ribbon member pair for moving and/or stabilizing a subject wearing the brace member, the further ribbon member pair comprising ii) a third ribbon member having a third portion connected to the central section of the brace member; and iii) a fourth ribbon member having a fourth portion connected to said central section of the brace member. wherein the third ribbon member and the fourth ribbon member are connected to the central section closer to the perimeter of the loop, when said loop is formed, than the first ribbon member and the second ribbon member.

11. The rescue device according to claim 10, wherein the third ribbon member and the fourth ribbon member form a single ribbon member connected to the brace member by a guiding section provided in the central section.

12. The rescue device according to claim 5, wherein the fastening means comprises Velcro.

13. The rescue device according to claim 6, wherein the fastening means comprises Velcro.

14. The rescue device according to claim 4, wherein the first ribbon member and/or the second ribbon member are respectively detachably connected to the brace member.

15. The rescue device according to claim 5, wherein the first ribbon member and/or the second ribbon member are respectively detachably connected to the brace member.

16. The rescue device according to claim 6, wherein the first ribbon member and/or the second ribbon member are respectively detachably connected to the brace member.

17. The rescue device according to claim 7, wherein the first ribbon member and/or the second ribbon member are respectively detachably connected to the brace member.

18. The rescue device according to claim 8, wherein the first ribbon member and/or the second ribbon member are respectively detachably connected to the brace member.

19. The rescue device according to claim 4, wherein the rescue device comprises a further ribbon member pair for moving and/or stabilizing a subject wearing the brace member, the further ribbon member pair comprising ii) a third ribbon member having a third portion connected to the central section of the brace member; and iii) a fourth ribbon member having a fourth portion connected to said central section of the brace member. wherein the third ribbon member and the fourth ribbon member are connected to the central section closer to the perimeter of the loop, when said loop is formed, than the first ribbon member and the second ribbon member.

20. The rescue device according to claim 5, wherein the rescue device comprises a further ribbon member pair for moving and/or stabilizing a subject wearing the brace member, the further ribbon member pair comprising ii) a third ribbon member having a third portion connected to the central section of the brace member; and iii) a fourth ribbon member having a fourth portion connected to said central section of the brace member. wherein the third ribbon member and the fourth ribbon member are connected to the central section closer to the perimeter of the loop, when said loop is formed, than the first ribbon member and the second ribbon member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0067] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show aspects of one or more embodiments of said invention. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:

[0068] FIG. 1A shows a view of the rescue device shown in a unfolded state.

[0069] FIG. 1B shows a view of a rescue device depicted in FIG. 1A in an partially folded state.

[0070] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a subject to be rescued in a vehicle, wherein the rescue device shown in FIG. 1 is placed between the backrest and the subject's back.

[0071] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the subject wherein the rescue device is fastened to secure the arms and the torso of the subject together.

[0072] FIG. 4 shows a perspective top view of a flap section present in the rescue device.

[0073] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the subject stabilized in a second position by the rescue device

[0074] FIG. 6 shows a view of the subject when the backrest of the seat is removed and the subject is prepared to be pulled out of the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0075] It should be noted that items which have the same reference numbers in different figures, have the same structural features and the same functions. Where the function and/or structure of such item has been explained, there is no necessity for repeated explanation thereof in the detailed description.

[0076] It should also be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments.

[0077] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B depict a rescue device 100 according to the invention. FIG. 1A shows the rescue device 100 in an unfolded state. The rescue device 100 comprises a brace member 110, a ribbon member pair 120 and a further ribbon member pair 130 and fastening means 140.

[0078] In the present example, the brace member 110 is a cloth comprising a central section 111, a first lateral section 112 and a second lateral section 112. Both lateral sections extend from the central section 111 in opposite directions. The brace member 110 is made of aramid fibers, for example Nomex, for providing heat-resistance, flexibility and strength.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 1A, the ribbon member pair 120 comprises a first ribbon member 121 and a second ribbon member 121, in the present example a first ribbon 121 and a second ribbon 121 respectively. The first ribbon 121 comprises a free end 125 and a first portion 126 at which said first ribbon 121 is connected to a first flap section 113 sewn to the central section 111 of the brace member 110. Similarly, the second ribbon 121 comprises a free end 125 and a second portion 126 at which said second ribbon 121 is connected to a second flap section 113 sewn to the central section 111. In this example both the first ribbon 121 and the second ribbon 121 are made of woven polyamide for providing flexibility and strength to said ribbons. The function of the flap sections 113 and 113 will be explained later.

[0080] The first ribbon 121 comprises anchoring means 122, in the present example a hook 122. The first ribbon 121 also comprises means 123 for detaching the hook 122 from the first flap section 113, in the present example a buckle 123, and means 124 for adjusting the length between the first portion 126 and the hook 122, in the present example an adjuster 124. The means 123 and 124 are known in the art. Similarly, the second ribbon 121 also comprise a hook 122, buckle 123, and an adjuster 124. The full length between the corresponding anchoring means and the portion in each ribbon is in the range of 60-120 cm, preferably between 70-100 cm long, and more preferably about 80 cm. The full length can be reduced by the adjusters 124 and 124.

[0081] The central section 111 comprises a further ribbon member 130. In the present example the further ribbon member 130 is a single ribbon member comprising a handler 132 and 132. The single ribbon member is made of woven polyamide for providing flexibility and strength and the length is in the range of 150-200 cm, preferably between 160-180 cm and more preferably about 170 cm.

[0082] The further ribbon member 130 is connected to the central section 111 of the brace member 110 by a guiding section 160. The guiding section 160 defines for the further ribbon member 130 a single portion 160 at which said further ribbon member is connected to the central section. The portion of the single ribbon member between the single portion 160 and the handler 132 defines a third ribbon member 131. Similarly, the section of the single ribbon member between the single portion 160 and the handler 132 defines a fourth ribbon member 131.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 1A, the fastening means 140 comprises strips 141 sewn to the first lateral section 112 and strips 142 sewn to the second lateral section 112. The strips 141 and the strips 142 are provided with Velcro portions to fasten them together when the device is in use.

[0084] The rescue device 100 also comprises a first strip 151 sewn to the first lateral section 112 and a second strip 151 sewn to the second lateral section 112. The function of said strips will be explained later.

[0085] The rescue device 100 may be kept in a folded state as shown in FIG. 1B. In the folded state the first lateral section 112 and the second lateral section 112 can be folded with respect to the central section 111 since the cloth defining the brace member 110 is flexible. In the folded state the first ribbon 121 and second ribbon 121 are packed within pockets 114 and 114 present in the flap sections 113 and 113 respectively; the third ribbon 131 and the fourth ribbon 131 are kept in a rolled state by strips 150 and the strips 141 and 142 are kept in a rolled state by strips 150 present in the first lateral section 112 and second lateral section 112.

[0086] FIGS. 2 to 6 show the steps of an example of a method of rescuing a subject from the interior of a vehicle 290 after an accident, the method using the rescue device 100 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. In the present example, the subject is seated in front of the steering wheel 295 in a first position. Said subject is, for example, going to be rescued via a path through a hatch generated by removing the rear window (not shown). In order to free the path, the backrest 271 of a seat 270 where said subject is placed has to be removed, in the present example by cutting said backrest 271 off at the bottom side thereof.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 2, the rescue device 100 is placed between the torso of the subject and the backrest 271 such that the central section 111 of the brace member 110 is facing the back of the torso, and the third ribbon 131 and the fourth ribbon 131 are slung over the shoulders. In order to make it more easy, all the ribbons are in the folded state. Besides, if there is not much room between the back of the subject and the backrest 271, the rescuers may pull down the rescue device by pulling downward from the strips 151 and 151. Then, said third ribbon 131 and fourth ribbon 131 are unrolled and extended over the shoulders and subsequently under the underarms of said subject. Finally, the third ribbon 131 and fourth ribbon 131 are positioned over the top of the backrest 271 towards the rear window of the car 290.

[0088] FIGS. 3 and 4 depict a loop 300 formed subsequently when the first lateral section 112 and the second lateral section 112 are fastened to each other by fastening the strips 142 to the strips 141. The loop 300 secures the arms and the torso of the subject together, preventing the arms from moving relatively to the torso.

[0089] The flap sections 113 and 113 are hingedly connected to the central section 111. FIG. 4 shows the capability of the flap section 113 to pivot about the longitudinal direction of the loop 300. Therefore, the second ribbon 121 can pivot without applying tension to the fastening means 140. The same effect is to be acknowledged to the flap section 113 and the first ribbon 121.

[0090] FIG. 5 depicts a further state wherein the subject wearing the rescue device 100 is moved and stabilized in the second position. In the present example, the first ribbon 121 and the second ribbon 121 are extending out of the pockets 114 and 114 respectively. The first ribbon 121 and the second ribbon 121 are anchored respectively by using the hooks 122 and 122 in this example to the steering wheel 295 and to an air conditioning diffusor (not shown) present in the car 290. Then, by pulling the free ends 125 and 125 of the first ribbon 121 and second ribbon 121 along a direction A, the full length in each of said ribbons between the corresponding anchoring means and the portion is reduced thanks to the means 124 and 124, moving the arms and the torso of the subject along a direction of arrow B, in the present example towards the steering wheel. Therefore, the torso and the arms are relatively far from the backrest 271 than in the first position. In this scenario, the backrest 271 can be cut off reducing the possibility of injury said subject and there is no need for a rescuer to keep said subject in the second position. Further, since the flap sections 113 and 113 are sewn to the central section 111, the tension applied to the fastening means 140 is also reduced when the subject is being moved and/or stabilized.

[0091] FIG. 6 depicts the last state of the method according to the present example. Once the backrest 271 has been cut off, the rescue path is free for transporting the subject, for example by placing a rescue board 250 near the bottom part of the subject's back. Then, the hook 122 of the first ribbon 121 and the hook 122 of the second ribbon 121 are detached from the brace member 110 by using the buckles 123 and 123 while a rescuer is holding the subject. Finally, said subject is pulled out through a rear window (not shown) by pulling the third ribbon 131 and the fourth ribbon 131 of the further ribbon member pair 130 along the direction of arrow C. In this situation, the handlers 132 and 132 are used to apply tension for moving the subject.

[0092] The present invention may be varied within the scope of the appending claims. For example, in the method the subject, after being stabilized by means of the first ribbon 121 and second ribbon 121 in the second position, may be rescued out of the vehicle via a path that extends lateral to the direction of arrow C, for example after a door has been removed or via a lateral window.