STRETCHER

Abstract

A stretcher that can be rolled up may comprise at least two straps for securing a person in a longitudinal direction of the stretcher. The at least two straps for securing the person in the longitudinal direction of the stretcher are disposed such that the at least two straps are fastened above a first region. The first region may be configured to accommodate shoulders of the person. The stretcher may further comprises a foot plate that is adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the stretcher. In addition, a deployable buoyancy device may be mounted on the stretcher. The deployable buoyancy device may be fastened in a second region on the stretcher, wherein the second region is configured to accommodate the person's neck. The deployable buoyancy device may have a tubular configuration, and the deployable buoyancy device may be connected in the second region to the at least two straps for securing the person in the longitudinal direction.”

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. A stretcher that can be rolled up, the stretcher comprising: at least two straps for securing a person in a longitudinal direction of the stretcher, the at least two straps being disposed such that the at least two straps are fastened above a first region that accommodates shoulders of the person; and a deployable buoyancy device mounted on the stretcher, the deployable buoyancy device being fastened in a second region on the stretcher that accommodates a neck of the person, wherein the deployable buoyancy device has a tubular configuration and is connected in the second region to the at least two straps, wherein the deployable buoyancy device is configured to lie directly against the person.

17. The stretcher of claim 16 further comprising a foot plate that is adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the stretcher.

18. The stretcher of claim 16 further comprising stiffening elements that are either rod-shaped or plate-shaped, wherein the stiffening elements are oriented transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the stretcher.

19. The stretcher of claim 16 wherein ends of the deployable buoyancy device are connectable in front of a chest of the person.

20. The stretcher of claim 16 further comprising handles disposed at a head end and at a foot end of the stretcher.

21. The stretcher of claim 16 further comprising transverse belts for securing the person.

22. The stretcher of claim 21 wherein the deployable buoyancy device comprises a chest belt that is connected to at least one of the transverse belts.

23. The stretcher of claim 16 wherein in a deployed state the deployable buoyancy device comprises tetrahedral buoyancy bodies in a chest region of the person.

24. The stretcher of claim 16 further comprising loops disposed in the longitudinal direction of the stretcher.

25. The stretcher of claim 24 wherein the loops are disposed centrally in a transverse direction of the stretcher, wherein the deployable buoyancy device can be fastened to at least one of the loops with a Velcro-type closure piece.

26. The stretcher of claim 16 wherein the deployable buoyancy device is configured to self-deploy upon contact with water.

27. The stretcher of claim 26 wherein the deployable buoyancy device comprises a first sector and a second sector, wherein during deployment of the deployable buoyancy device the first sector is deployed before the second sector.

28. The stretcher of claim 16 wherein the stretcher can be rolled up in the longitudinal direction.

29. The stretcher of claim 28 wherein the rolled-up stretcher forms a backpack.

30. The stretcher of claim 16 configured to rescue the person from a ship.

31. The stretcher of claim 16 configured to rescue the person from a submarine.

Description

[0025] The stretcher according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an illustrative embodiment depicted in the drawings.

[0026] FIG. 1: schematic rear view of a stretcher

[0027] FIG. 2: schematic plan view of a stretcher

[0028] FIG. 3: schematic cross section along A-A

[0029] FIG. 1 shows an illustrative embodiment of a stretcher 10 according to the invention. The stretcher 10 has handles composed of belt strap 20, wherein these handles preferably run in the handle region through a plastic tube, particularly preferably a woven tube. The advantage of a tube in the handle region is the round shape of the tube, which can be gripped comfortably and securely, without the belt exerting punctiform loads on the hands of the rescuers. The belt strap 22 is sewn onto the stretcher 10. The sewing is preferably in the form shown in FIG. 1. The belt runs continuously on the side directed toward the middle of the stretcher; the two other ends are sewn onto the stretcher 10 such that they impinge more or less centrally on the continuous belt strap and are here sewn onto it. This ensures a particularly efficient transmission of force from the handle 20 to the stretcher 10 via the belt and prevents the handles composed of belt strap 20 tearing off and prevents the stretcher from being damaged. Moreover, a further belt strap is sewn onto the stretcher in the region for accommodating the chest region of a person and comprises buckles 30. When a person is placed onto the stretcher 10, the buckles 30 are connected to each other. In this way, the stretcher 10 is rolled laterally around the person and thereby stabilizes the person.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows the stretcher 10 in a schematic plan view. A deployable buoyancy device 50 is mounted on the stretcher 10 and is connected to the stretcher 10 in a height-adjustable manner via an adjustable fastener 54 and a fastening tab 40. The adjustable fastener 54 is configured, for example, in the form of a Velcro tape. In this way, the position of the deployable buoyancy device can be adapted easily and quickly to the height of a person who is to be placed on the stretcher 10. By means of closure pieces 52, the deployable buoyancy device 50 can be closed in front of the chest of a person placed on the stretcher 10 and can thus be fixed in the correct position. The deployable buoyancy device 50 is likewise connected to the stretcher 10 via the buckles 30, wherein the belt strap 56 on the buckle 30 can be used to adapt the length to the chest circumference of a person lying on the stretcher 10. Moreover, the stretcher 10 comprises two shoulder belts 60, with only a part of one shoulder belt 60 being shown in the diagram. In the present embodiment, a shoulder belt 60 is a strap for securing a person in the longitudinal direction of the stretcher. The shoulder belt 60 is connected to the deployable buoyancy device 50 at the seam 58. In this way, the correct position of the deployable buoyancy device 50 is ensured, since a person lying on the stretcher 10 is secured in the longitudinal direction of the stretcher 10 by the shoulder belts 60. The deployable buoyancy device 10 is of a tubular configuration and, as shown, is preferably fastened in a U shape on the stretcher 10.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross section along the line A-A according to FIG. 3. The stretcher 10 has an upper layer 70 and a lower layer 78. The upper layer 70 is worked in such a way that it can be easily cleaned, since an injured person comes to lie on the upper layer 70 during the use of the stretcher 10. The lower layer 78 is particularly resistant to tearing, since the lower layer 78 will possibly be dragged across the ground during transport, particularly in confined areas. The upper layer 70 and the lower layer 78 can also be made from the same material, provided that this material satisfies both requirements. Between the upper layer 70 and the lower layer 78 there is an inner pocket 74. Between the inner pocket 74 and the lower layer 78 there is a stiffening element 76. The stiffening element 76 is, for example, a plastic sheet with a thickness of between 0.2 and 10 mm. The stiffening element 76 can be made, for example, of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer. All of the belt straps 72 are particularly preferably sewn between the upper layer 70 and the inner pocket 74. In this way, a routing of the belt straps 72 is possible which lies neither on the upper layer 70, where they can be uncomfortable for a person lying on the stretcher 10 and can make cleaning of the upper layer 70 difficult, nor on the lower layer 78, as a result of which pulling the stretcher 10 across the ground or in particular through a bulkhead is not made difficult. Moreover, this permits a particularly efficient transmission of force between belt strap 72 and stretcher 10.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0032] 10 Stretcher [0033] 20 Handle composed of belt strap [0034] 22 Sewn belt strap [0035] 30 Buckle [0036] 40 Fastening tab [0037] 50 Deployable buoyancy device [0038] 52 Closure piece [0039] 54 Adjustable fastener [0040] 56 Belt strap [0041] 58 Seam [0042] 60 Shoulder belt [0043] 70 Upper layer [0044] 72 Belt strap [0045] 74 Inner pocket [0046] 76 Stiffening element [0047] 78 Lower layer