Method and Device for Transporting an Incapacitated Person

Abstract

An emergency device for transporting incapacitated persons. The device is affixed to an existing seat on a mode of transportation, such as an airplane seat, such that it appears to form the upper layer of the seat. If the passenger in the seat becomes incapacitated, the device can easily be detached from the seat, and placed into use as an emergency transportation device. The device includes handles that allow assisting persons to grasp it. The device may be rolled up into compact form when not in use as an upper layer of the seat or as an emergency transportation device. In its compact form, it may be used as a travel pillow.

Claims

1. A device to transport an incapacitated person comprising: one or more layers of material; a plurality of handles located on or near the edges of said at one or more layers of material; said one or more layers of material sized to fit over a seat; and a means for attaching the upper edge of said one or more layers of material to the corresponding upper edge of said seat.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said handles comprise a single handle located on or near the top edge of said one or more layers of material and a single lower handle locate on or near the bottom edge of said one or more layers of material.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein said handles comprise two upper handles located on or near said one or more layers of material and two lower handles located on or near said one or more layers of material.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein said handles are formed from openings in said one or more layers of material.

5. The device according to claim 1 wherein said seat is an airplane seat.

6. The device according to claim 1 wherein a pocket is situated toward the lower end of said one or more layers of material;

7. The device according to claim 1 wherein said one or more layers of material have a closure means to secure the device in a compact form.

8. A device to transport incapacitated persons comprising: an airplane seat having a detachable outer layer; said outer layer comprising at least one layer of fabric; and said outer layer having a plurality of handles at or near its edges;

9. The device according to claim 8 wherein said handles comprise a single handle located on or near the top edge of said detachable outer layer and a single lower handle locate on or near the bottom edge of said detachable outer layer.

10. The device according to claim 8 wherein said handles comprise two upper handles located on or near the top edge of said detachable outer layer and two lower handles located on or near the lower edge of said detachable outer layer.

11. The device according to claim 8 wherein said handles are formed from openings in said detachable outer layer.

12. The device according to claim 1 wherein a pocket is situated toward the lower end of said one or more layers of material;

13. A method of attaching a personal transportation device to a seat comprising: placing at least one layer of fabric over a seat located on a means of transportation, wherein said at least one layer of fabric is sized to fit over said seat, and wherein said at least one layer of fabric has a plurality of handles; and securing the at least one layer of fabric to said seat by placing loops of material over the top corners of the seat wherein said loops of material are affixed to said at least one layer of fabric.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said loops of material are comprised of elasticized material.

15. A method of evacuating a passenger from an airplane comprising: detaching the upper layer of an airplane seat; grasping handles located on said upper layer of an airplane seat; lifting said upper layer of said airplane seat off of the seat while the passenger remains seated; and carrying said upper layer of said airplane seat off of the airplane.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] FIG. 1 depicts a top view of one embodiment of the present invention as unrolled and lying flat on a surface, such as on a floor.

[0041] FIG. 2 depicts a seat and the manner in which the device of the present invention is attached to the seat.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a front view of the device of the present invention when it is rolled into a compact form to be transported, stored, or used as a travel pillow.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a top view of another embodiment of the present invention as unrolled and lying flat on a surface, such as on a floor.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a front view of one embodiment of the device of the present invention as attached to an airline seat.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a side view of one embodiment of the device of the present invention as attached to an airline seat.

[0046] FIG. 7 is a rear view of one embodiment of the device of the present invention as attached to an airline seat.

[0047] FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of the present invention in which it is being placed into use as an emergency transportation device to transport a person unable to move under her own power.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0048] The current invention may preferably provide a device for transporting a person unable to move under his or her own power.

[0049] The device may preferably be used on airplanes for the transportation of one or more airplane passengers.

[0050] In alternate embodiments, the device of the present invention may also be used on other modes of transportation including trains, buses, subway cars, cruise ships, or other vehicles.

[0051] The device of the present invention may preferably be affixed to seats in transportation vehicles, such that it forms the upper layer of the seat. If the person sitting in the seat needs to be moved and is unable to move under his or her own power, the device may be easily detached from the seat and used as an emergency transportation device.

[0052] The device may preferably be installed as standard equipment on airplane seats or seats located on other modes of transportation. When the device is installed on the aforementioned seat, it has the added advantage that it is available for immediate use by any passenger who either has limited mobility, or who becomes ill, injured or otherwise incapacitated while on board the transportation vehicle. When the device is used on commercial aircraft, the airline personnel may give safety instructions at the start of the flight, which include instructions as to how to detach and use the device as a stretcher, or emergency transportation device, in the event it becomes necessary to do so.

[0053] The device may preferably be affixed to existing transportation seats without modifying the seats or installing new seats.

[0054] The device may preferably be affixed to the seats such that it can be easily and quickly separated from the seat and placed into use while the person in need of aid remains seated.

[0055] The device preferably does not diminish the comfort of existing seats in airplanes or other transportation vehicles. Likewise, the device preferably does not limit existing passenger space, or otherwise interfere with the passenger's experience on board the vehicle when the device is not being placed into use as a transportation device.

[0056] In an alternate embodiment, the device may be rolled into a compact form for easy storage and transportation. In that embodiment, the device may be stored in an easily accessible location on board an aircraft or other transportation vehicle. For example, the device could be affixed beneath the seats for easy retrieval. Alternatively, the device could be placed on the seat back, or in a nearby compartment. The device may also be placed in a personal carry-on bag, purse, briefcase or other similar device where it may be easily retrieved.

[0057] The current invention is now described with reference to the figures. Components appearing in more than one figure bear the same reference numerals.

[0058] The device of the present invention is formed from material 20. As described herein, material 20 may be comprised of one or more layers. It may be a single layer, or it may have a top layer and a bottom layer. In the embodiment in which it is comprised of a top layer and a bottom layer, it may have cushioning between the layers as described further herein.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5-7, material 20, may preferably be fitted around a chair, or seat 10, such that it forms a detachable upper layer of the seat, herein referred to as upper layer 17 of the seat 10. When the person sitting on seat 10 needs to be moved, upper layer 17 may easily be detached from seat 10 and turned into stretcher 15 such that the person in the seat may easily be transported.

[0060] Seat 10 may consist of any type of seat. It may be located on a means of transportation, such as a train, a ship, an automobile, or any other means of transportation. Alternatively, seat 10 could be any other seat, including a seat at a restaurant, musical or other event, or any other seat. In that manner, a person who relies on an external device for transportation, such as a wheelchair, may readily have available a means of being transported in case emergency arises.

[0061] In one embodiment of the invention, the seat is an airline seat, referred to herein as seat 11. In that embodiment, material 20 may also be fitted around seat 11 such that it forms detachable outer layer 17 of seat 11, and may easily be detached to form stretcher 15.

[0062] When material 20 is attached to seat 10 or seat 11, top edge 32 is placed on or over the top of seat 10 or seat 11, and bottom edge 34 is located approximately parallel to the bottom edge of seat 10 or seat 11, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6. Outer edge 30 lies flush against he outer layer of seat 10 or 11 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5-7. In one embodiment of the invention, material 20, otherwise referred to as stretcher 15, includes straps 42 as shown in FIGS. 5-7. Straps 42 may preferably be formed from an elasticized material. When stretcher 15 is attached to seat 10 or seat 11, straps 42 are placed around the back of seat 10 or seat 11, such that stretcher 15 is held securely in place, and forms detachable outer layer 17 of seat 10 or seat 11. In the embodiment in which straps 42 are formed from an elasticized material, straps 42 may easily be placed over seats of varying width. In the embodiment in which straps 42 are formed from an elasticized material, the straps have the advantage of being able to be securely placed over seats of varying widths, without adding additional bulk to stretcher 15. That embodiment has the additional advantage of ease of manufacturing. In that embodiment, straps 42 may easily be lifted off of seat 10 or seat 11 when upper layer 17 is detached and the device of the present invention is placed into use as stretcher 15. In an alternative embodiment, straps 42 may be adjustable by other means. In that alternative embodiment, straps 42 may be adjusted through means of hooks, clips, or other means of adjusting the length of straps known in the art. In that embodiment as well, straps 42 may easily be lifted off of seat 10 or 11 when outer layer 17 is detached and the device of the present invention is placed into use as stretcher 15.

[0063] In that embodiment, straps 42 preferably do not interfere with any screen, tray table, or any other device on or aspect of seatback 11.

[0064] In still another embodiment of the present invention, stretcher 15 may not have straps 42 and may instead have attachment means 40 as shown in FIG. 2. Attachment means 40 may preferably take the form of a detachable adhesive, such as Velcro. In that manner, stretcher 15 may be easily affixed to seat 10 or seat 11, regardless of the dimensions of the seat, to form outer layer 17. In that embodiment, outer layer 17 may easily be detached from seat 10 or seat 11 when the device of the present invention is placed into use as stretcher 15. Attachment means 40 may alternatively take the form of other means of attachment known in the art, including other forms of adhesive, snaps, hooks, zippers, or other similar means of attachment known in the art. Attachment means 40 allows the device of the present invention to be attached to seat 10 or 11 without requiring modifications to the existing seat.

[0065] In one embodiment of the present invention, stretcher 15 includes headrest 21. As shown in FIG. 2, headrest 21 may preferably located such that it is on or near a passenger's head, when the passenger is seated in seat 10 or seat 11, and stretcher 15 is affixed to the seat such that it forms detachable outer layer 17. Headrest 21 may consist of stitching for aesthetic reasons. In that manner, if seat 10 or seat 11 already has a built in headrest, headrest 21 serves to outline the existing headrest for aesthetic reasons. In an alternate embodiment, headrest 21 may consist of a layer of foam or other cushioning material placed inside the layers of material 20. In an embodiment in which material 20 is comprised of multiple layers, the foam or other cushioning material of headrest 21 may be locate between those multiple layers. Alternatively, an additional layer may be sown on the top of material 20, in order to form headrest 21. In that manner, if seat 10 or seat 11 does not have an existing headrest, then headrest 21 adds to the comfort of the passenger when stretcher 15 is placed over the seat such that it forms detachable outer layer 17. In that embodiment, the cushioning material of headrest 21 may consist of foam, cotton, down, or any other lightweight cushioning material known in the art. In that embodiment, when stretcher 15 is rolled into compact form 16, headrest 21 adds cushioning to compact form 16. Thus, when stretcher 15 is used as a travel pillow, the pillow has additional cushioning for the comfort of the user. In alternate embodiments, stretcher 15 does not have a headrest 21.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4-8, stretcher 15 preferably has upper handles 22 and lower handles 24, which both preferably lie flat against the seat when the device is not in use as stretcher 15. In that manner, the handles will not interfere in any way with the passenger experience when stretcher 15 is not being used as an emergency transportation device. Similarly, if handles are formed from holes or openings cut into the fabric, the handles will not interfere with the passenger experience. As shown in FIG. 3, upper handles 22 and lower handles 24 allow stretcher 15 to be rolled into compact form 16 without interference.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 4-8, upper handles 22 may preferably be located such that they are in line with or near the shoulder blades of an adult, when the adult is seated on upper layer 17, or being transported on stretcher 15.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 4-8, lower handles 24 may preferably be located such that they are in line with or near the knees of an adult, when the adult is seated on upper layer 17, or being transported on stretcher 15. As shown in FIG. 8, when the device of the present invention is placed into use as stretcher 15 in order to transport incapacitated person 60, assisting person 62a and assisting person 62b may grasp upper handles 22 and lower handles 24 in order to transport incapacitated person 60. In an alternative method of using stretcher 15, assisting person 62a may stand at or near the head of incapacitated person 60, and grasp both upper handles 22. Assisting person 62b may then stand at or near the knees and legs of incapacitated person 60 and grasp both lower handles 24. That method of using stretcher 15 may preferably be employed in narrow spaces, such as the aisle of an airline, in which there is not enough space for persons 62a and 62b to stand to each side of stretcher 15.

[0069] Upper handles 22 and lower handles 24 may preferably have a double layer of stitching attaching them to material 20. In that manner, upper handles 22 and lower handles 24 are affixed to material 20 in a secure and sturdy fashion.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 4, upper handles 22 and lower handles 24 may preferably be formed from a single loop of material for added strength and stability.

[0071] Alternate means of manufacturing upper handles 22 and lower handles 24 may also be used. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, stretcher 15, upper handles 22 and lower handles 24 may all be formed from a single piece of material. In that embodiment, opening 26 allows assisting person 62a and assisting person 62a to place their hand or hands through opening 26 and carry stretcher 15. Still other means of manufacturing known in the art may be used such that upper handles 20 and lower handles 24 are affixed to stretcher 15 in a manner that ensures that they will remain secure when stretcher 15 is placed into use as a transportation device.

[0072] Alternate embodiments of the present invention may include differing handle structures. In an alternate embodiment, stretcher 15 may have a single upper handle affixed to top edge 32 of the device and a single lower handle affixed to the bottom edge 34 of the device. In that embodiment, the single upper handle and the single lower handle may each be formed from a loop of material, securely fixed to material 20. Alternatively, the single upper handle and single lower handle may be formed from holes cut into material 20. In that embodiment, when the invention is placed into use, assisting person 62a and assisting person 62b may preferably stand at or near the head of person 60 and at or near the knees and legs of person 60 respectively, when the device of the present invention is placed into use as stretcher 15. In another embodiment of the present invention, the device may have upper handles 22, lower handles 24, in addition to a single upper handle attached to upper edge 32 and a single lower handle attached to lower edge 34. In still another embodiment, stretcher 15 may have additional handles along its outer edge 30, in order to facilitate ease of use.

[0073] In one embodiment of the present invention, material 20 includes pocket 50, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 6. Pocket 50 may preferably be made from the same type of material as the rest of the device. When the device of the present invention is manufactured, pocket 50 may preferably be created by folding the lower end of material 20 up, and stitching the folded material back onto to the layer of material 20 such that a pocket is formed. Alternative means of manufacturing pocket 50 may also be employed. When the device of the present invention is attached to seat 10 or seat 11 such that it forms outer layer 17, the pocket is situated underneath the legs of a person seated in seat 10 or 11. The seated person may use the pocket to store items such as books, electronic devices, water bottles, or other items that the person may wish to have nearby and easily retrieved.

[0074] When the device of the present invention is placed into use, it may be carried by two assisting persons, depicted in FIG. 8 as persons 62a and 62b. It may alternatively be carried by more than 2 people. For example, stretcher 15 may be carried by up to four people, with two holding opposing sides of upper handles 22 and two holding opposing sides of lower handles 24.

[0075] When the device of the present invention is not in use as a transportation device, it may be folded into compact form 16 for storage and transportation, or for use as a travel pillow as shown in FIG. 3. The device may preferably be folded into compact form for carrying and storage, such that it does not need to be placed in an external bag. In order to fold the device into compact form 16, the person folding the device would start with it lying flat, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. In the embodiment in which the device of the present invention includes pocket 50, the device of the present invention would be placed such that pocket 50 is lying face up. The person folding the device would then start folding, or rolling it from top edge 32, and fold or roll it toward bottom edge 34. The person would fold or roll the device until reaching pocket 50. At that point, the folded or rolled part of material 20 would be tucked into pocket 50. As shown in FIG. 3, pocket 50 includes closure means 52.

[0076] Closure means 52 may preferably take the form of an adhesive, such as a strip of Velcro. The use of an adhesive such as Velcro or another comparable adhesive for such closure means has the advantage of allowing the device to be easily and quickly opened. The use of such an adhesive further has the advantage that it is cost-effective and does not add to the weight or bulk of the device. Many alternate means of closure are known in the art and may be used in connection with the present invention. Those means include, but are not limited to, snaps, buttons, zippers, and hooks. The device of the present invention may then be secured in compact form 16, and may then be easily transported. In that manner, the device of the present invention does not need to be placed into an external bag for transportation or storage.

[0077] The device of the present invention may be stored on an airplane, on other means of transportation, or on or near any other seat in compact form 16. In compact form 16, the device of the present invention may be stored on the underside of seat 10 or seat 11. It may be attached to the underside of seat 10 or seat 11 through the means of an adhesive such as Velcro or other similar adhesive, or it may be slipped into a pocket on the underside of seat 10 or 11, or otherwise attached to the underside of the seat. In that manner, each passenger on the transportation device, or each person sitting in the seat, will have an emergency transportation device readily available. When the device of the present invention is being used in a location in which there are multiple rows of seats, such as on an airplane or train for example, the device of the present invention may alternatively be attached to the back of seat 10 or seat 11. For example, in the embodiment in which the device is being used on an airplane, the device of the present invention in compact form 16 may be stored in the seatback pocket of airline seats. In that manner, the device may easily be retrieved from the seatback pocket and placed into use as stretcher 15. The device in compact form 16 may alternatively be stored in a purse or personal carryon luggage, or may otherwise be stored in a location in which it is easily retrieved in the event that it needs to be placed into use as stretcher 15.

[0078] When the device of the present invention is in compact form 16, it may also be placed into use as a travel pillow. In that manner, it is readily available in case of emergency. When it is not needed for an emergency, it can be sued to increase the comfort of the traveler or other user.

[0079] In the embodiment in which the device of the present invention does not have a pocket 50, it may still have closure means located on top edge 32 and bottom edge 34. In that manner, the device may still be folded into compact form 16, and secured in that form through the use of closure means 52.

[0080] Material 20 may preferably sized such that it fits snugly around existing seats, such as airplane seats or seats on other modes of transportation. The dimensions of material 20 may be altered in order to accommodate different seat sizes. For example, when sized to accommodate an airplane seat, the overall dimensions of material 20 may preferably be between 17 inches and 22 inches wide, and the length may preferably be between 55 inches and 80 inches. The device of the present invention may alternatively be easily manufactured using different dimensions.

[0081] Material 20 may be made in a variety of fabric colors. It may preferably be made in a color that conforms to the color of the existing airline or other seat.

[0082] Material 20 may preferably be made of a single layer of durable material. The single layer of material has the advantage that it is lightweight and does not add additional bulk to a seat. The material is preferably solid, as opposed to mesh for example, such that it has the appearance of a standard airline, train, bus or other vehicle seat when placed over the existing seat. In alternate embodiments, material 20 may be comprised of multiple layers of fabric. In one such embodiment, material 20 may have a cushioning layer between the layers of fabric or material, in order to increase the comfort of the user when the device is used as a travel pillow and when it is used as detachable upper layer 17.

[0083] Material 20 may be comprised of a sturdy material such as Denier Coated Oxford. That material has the advantage that it is both flame retardant and sufficiently sturdy to carry an incapacitated adult. Alternative materials known in the art may also be used to form the device of the present invention.

[0084] The handles of the device of the present invention may be comprised of a sturdy material, such as canvas. In an alternate embodiment, the handles of the device of the present invention may be comprised of the same material as material 20. In still another embodiment, the handles of stretcher 15 may be comprised of a material with some amount of elasticity. Alternative suitable materials known in the art may also be used in connection with the present invention.