NO317216B1 - Only, bare handle only as well as procedures for making the bar - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a stretcher with carrying handles for the transport of injured persons. The stretcher is intended for use a limited number of times and its design, material selection and construction reflect this which is also expressed in the inventive concept. The stretcher also has a complementary design which means that a number of stretcher can be stacked steadily on one another in a number in a manner which gives a stable stack. The invention further relates to a carrying handle for the stretcher and to a method of making the stretcher.

Description

The present invention relates to a stretcher with a carrying handle for the transport of persons who for one reason or another need transport due to damage etc. The stretcher is mainly intended for use a limited number of times and the design, choice of materials and construction reflect this, which is also expressed in the inventive concept. The stretcher also has a complementary design which means that a number of stretchers can be stacked firmly on top of each other. The invention further relates to carrying handles for the stretcher as well as a method for manufacturing the stretcher in accordance with the present invention.

The stretcher is produced from selected materials which, in a preferred embodiment, provide a light and stable stretcher that provides good insulation if it is placed directly on

the ground, it will give buoyancy if it is placed in water and the choice of material and design is also such that the stretcher lets X-rays through, which allows a patient to be X-rayed without being moved from the stretcher. Furthermore, two stretchers can be placed with their undersides facing each other, where the bottom stretcher acts as a stand or base which can help lift the top stretcher to a distance above the ground. In a preferred embodiment, the stretcher is made of materials that burn at temperatures at or above approx. 700°C, which makes it possible to easily incinerate a stretcher after it has been used if it is soiled or damaged. In the preferred embodiment, all materials in the stretcher are further selected so that the combustion of the stretcher does not release unnecessary amounts of harmful gases and that the remaining incinerated product does not cause an unnecessary environmental risk. In a situation where a large number of stretchers must be transported to a damage site, it will thus be possible to use the stretchers and then incinerate them when there is no longer a need for them, or when they are damaged or soiled in such a way that they are no longer should be used for hygienic or safety reasons. In the event of major natural disasters or humanitarian actions, it will thus be possible to transport a number of stretchers to the desired area, after which these are used to transport patients to suitable treatment institutions and then incinerate the stretchers without it being necessary to transport them back to storage.

The stretcher in accordance with the present invention is provided with

carrying handles that protrude outwards from the stretcher's two short sides in the lengthwise direction of the stretcher. In accordance with the present invention, the carrying handles can be displaceably placed in the stretcher's longitudinal direction or they can be releasably placed in relation to the stretcher so that they can be used with the stretcher when the stretcher is to be lifted or moved. Both removable and displaceable carrying handles are, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, made of a material that burns at or above approx. 700 C and which entails moderate emissions of environmentally harmful combustion gases.

The stretcher in accordance with the present invention can further be produced in accordance with a method according to the present invention. The production mainly takes place by wrapping a core with a reinforced or reinforcing material mainly made of cardboard or the like. The material can have an adhesive applied beforehand or this can be done in the manufacturing process and the stretcher then hardens into the finished product. Alternatively, the reinforced or reinforcing material can be wound on a device that gives the stretcher the correct shape, after which this is placed in a mold where a core material is injected and hardens on the inside of the reinforced or reinforcing material. Such reinforcing or reinforced material can be e.g. tyverk, rayon, lyocell, daeron, mylar or other suitable preferably fibrous material.

Among previously known stretchers, the construction is often based on two rigid support devices placed in the lengthwise direction of the stretcher, between which a

cloth or other flexible material where the patient is placed. Such stretchers often additionally have one or more devices, preferably placed on the underside of the stretcher, which, when the stretcher is in use, keep the two longitudinally placed stiffening bodies apart at a certain distance so that the stretcher with the flexible cloth does not fold up around the patient. Furthermore, the stiffening devices can be used as legs so that the stretcher can be placed at a distance above the ground to protect the patient from moisture and cold.

Previously known stretcher constructions include stated in EP 0 046 394 and NO 19841546.

Previously known stretcher constructions, however, often have the disadvantage that they have a surface and construction as well as a choice of material which, when soiled, becomes difficult to clean. In connection with injured persons, fouling will often occur in the form of blood, urine, faeces and vomit as well as mud etc. which leaves a very unhygienic environment if the stretcher is to be used for several patients. To remedy this, some stretcher constructions have a choice of material in a plastic sheet with a smooth surface that makes it easier to clean the stretcher after use. Furthermore, previously known stretcher constructions are based on a material composition that cannot be burned or otherwise easily removed, and these stretchers are therefore produced with the intention of being reused, which means that they must be transported to a suitable warehouse in anticipation of the next use .

Furthermore, previously known stretcher solutions have a shape which means that these are not suitable for stacking on top of each other, but some stretcher solutions are collapsible and in this way it will be possible to pack the stretchers together during transport.

Previously known solutions in connection with carrying handles for stretchers are, among other things, stated in GB 1 276 422 and DE 880 045.

It is an aim of the present invention to produce a stretcher for the transport of accompanying persons or others in need of transport, which stretcher has a complementary design which enables a plurality of stretchers to be stacked on top of each other in a relatively stable stack. It is also a purpose of the present invention to produce a stretcher which has a low weight and which insulates well against the ground for an injured person who is placed on the stretcher. A further purpose of the present invention relates to the modular design which enables two stretchers to be placed bottom to bottom so that the bottom stretcher acts as 'legs' and raises the top stretcher to a distance above the ground to help further lift and isolate an injured person from the ground.A stretcher according to the present invention further in a preferred embodiment has attachment devices on its upper side for necessary equipment to hold, stretch or support an injured person placed on the stretcher.

It is an aim of the present invention to produce a stretcher with carrying handle, where the carrying handle can be releasably connected to the stretcher or displaceably connected in the lengthwise direction of the stretcher so that the total extent of the stretcher can be limited to only the main body of the stretcher. The carrying handles can thus be pushed into place in suitable devices in the stretcher before use, or the carrying handles can be placed in the stretcher in such a way that they can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the stretcher between active and inactive positions. The carrying handles can, if they are displaceably arranged in the stretcher's longitudinal direction, preferably be arranged with locking devices that make it possible to pull out or push in the carrying handles and lock them in a desired position.

It is also a purpose of the present invention to produce a method for manufacturing a stretcher according to the present invention, which enables the stretcher to be made from the materials preferred for the stretcher.

A stretcher according to the present invention is built up from a core which is formed mainly into the complementary design that the finished stretcher should have. IN

the core, which can be made of one or more layers of foam material or one or more layers of another sheet material, e.g. cardboard or corrugated cardboard, fastening devices for carrying handles are fitted and in a preferred embodiment fastening devices are fitted for supports or other holding devices for patients which is placed on the stretcher.

Alternatively, devices can also be placed which make it possible to put a person under tension on the stretcher. Such devices can be holders or counter-holds, e.g. at shoulders, armpits, groin, etc., as well as tension devices at the head/neck, wrists, ankles, etc. The core of the stretcher is covered by a surrounding reinforcing or reinforced material, especially on the top and bottom of the stretcher, which is bound to the core with a binder such as glue, a hardening resin etc. and which together with the stretcher's core form a layered construction. The stretcher is further described in the introduction to subsequent claim i and the characteristic features of the stretcher are described in the characterizing part of claim 1. Further embodiments are specified in subsequent claims 2-12.

The complementary design of the stretcher is mainly achieved by the fact that the stretcher has a longitudinally located middle plane for placing a person, and on each side of this middle plane, in the main longitudinal direction of the stretcher, inclined surfaces are formed which, by their angle and extent, form limiting side edges for the person who is situated on the stretcher. The underside of the stretcher is designed in such a way that it complementarily corresponds to the upper side of the stretcher, and this complementary design makes it possible to stack a number of stretchers on top of each other in a relatively stable stack.

The stretcher's carrying handle is placed at each short end of the stretcher and is outwardly protruding from the stretcher in the lengthwise direction of the stretcher. The carrying handles are preferably placed as far out towards the stretcher's side edges as possible to achieve a stable carrying position, and in the present invention the carrying handles are preferably placed in connection with the slanted side walls for the stretcher. The carrying handles can here be displaceably placed in relation to the stretcher, so that the carrying handles can be moved into the stretcher to avoid conflict with surrounding elements during e.g. transport or storage. In a preferred embodiment, the carry handles can be extended to their full length and locked by a common locking device, such as a conical surface on the inner part of the carry handle that meets an opposite conical sleeve placed in the stretcher's longitudinal holders for the carry handle, or the carry handles can be locked by a swivel locking device where a pin on the carrying handle enters a slot in the stretcher's longitudinal sleeve for the carrying handles or vice versa and thereby locks each of the carrying handles in an extended position. Alternatively, the carrying handles can consist of elongated bodies with essentially the same cross-sectional shape as the sleeves or holders that are placed in the stretcher, after which the carrying handles are threaded into and through the longitudinal sleeves in the stretcher and form a carrying handle that projects outwards at both transverse ends of the stretcher. Such elongated elements can, for example, be formed in wood or other suitable material. In a further embodiment, the stretcher's sleeves can be limited in their longitudinal direction so that relatively short carrying handles are inserted into the end opening of the sleeves and then locked inside the stretcher's carrying sleeves. As previously indicated, the locking device can here, for example, be a cotter pin which, by turning the carrying handle, enters a slot and is locked to the stretcher. The carrying handle is further discussed in the introduction to subsequent claims 13 and 14 and the characteristic features of the carrying handle are described in the characterizing part of claims 13 and 14 respectively.

The stretcher according to the present invention can also be produced according to a method also according to the present invention where a core shaped essentially like the finished stretcher is covered with a reinforcing material. This takes place either by a reinforcing material being wrapped around a core or by the reinforcing material being wrapped around the longitudinally located holders for the stretcher's carrying handle and then placed in an external mold and shaped and then injected between the upper and lower layers of reinforcing material with a preferably expanding material forming the core. The method for manufacturing the stretcher is further described in the introduction to subsequent claim 15 and the characteristic features of the method are described in the characterizing part of claim 15. ■ Further embodiments are specified in the subsequent claims.

The present invention shall be further explained with reference to the attached drawings where: Figure 1 in perspective shows a plurality of stretchers according to the present invention stacked on top of each other; Figure 2 shows support devices placed on a stretcher on either side of the head of an injured person; Figure 3 shows a step in the method for manufacturing a stretcher;

c

Figure 4 shows a further step in the method for manufacturing a stretcher.

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a stretcher 1 in accordance with the present invention. The stretcher 1 essentially consists of a flat part 5 which - extends in the main longitudinal direction of the stretcher. On each long side of the section, the stretcher 1 has slanted side edges or side rails 6. The stretcher 1 is essentially made up of a core 2 which is covered on its upper side and lower side with a reinforcing material 3 and 4, respectively, which is attached to the core with a binder and in one embodiment this is embedded in a hardening resin. At the stretcher's side edges, holding devices such as sleeves or tubes 7 for receiving or placing carrying handles 8 in accordance with the invention are also placed in the stretcher's longitudinal direction. The carrying handles 8 are releasably or displaceably placed in the openings in the holding devices 7 which may be continuous in the stretcher's longitudinal direction or these may have a limited depth where the carrying handles 8 are moved in. In the preferred embodiment, the core material 2. and the upper and lower reinforcing material, as well as binder or hardening resin are selected from material that can be burned at a temperature at or above 700°C and preferably at a lower temperature, preferably without emitting significant amounts of harmful gases. The carrying handle 8 of the stretcher 1 is also preferably made of a material that can be burned at or above a temperature of approx. 700°C and preferably at approximately the same temperature as the rest of the stretcher 1.

The stretcher 1 will, with a structure as mentioned above, have a low weight and will provide good insulation for an injured person who is located on the stretcher 1 when the stretcher 1

resting on the ground. Furthermore, the stretcher 1 will be able to be transparent with X-ray equipment so that it is not necessary to move the patient from the stretcher .1 to a separate device for possible X-ray photography. The materials for making the stretcher can be varied and in one embodiment the core 2 is made of cardboard or paper, or similar material such as corrugated cardboard. Several layers of such material can

are pressed together to form the core and then a reinforcing material can be placed on the top and bottom of the core, respectively, which is embedded in a hardening resin. Transverse reinforcements of e.g. three etc. in the stretcher construction. Such transverse elements can be placed in several places along the length of the stretcher and we, among other things, contribute to a stiffer construction, better attachment for longitudinal attachments, sleeves etc. for carrying handles etc. Transverse reinforcing elements can also be combined with longitudinal reinforcing elements which together form a skeleton for the stretcher. The reinforcing elements can be made of different materials that satisfy the purpose of the invention.

On the surfaces of the stretcher, information can also be placed on, for example, first aid procedures, emergency telephone numbers or other medical information that may be applicable to a stretcher user. Information can also be placed on how the stretcher is to be burned or otherwise destroyed.

Figure 2 shows a stretcher 1 where a support 10 is placed on each side of a patient's head to keep the patient's head in a stable position. Supports 10 and other elements to keep the patient in a desired position can be placed on the stretcher 1 as desired and in a preferred embodiment, the stretcher 1 is fitted with fastening devices for such supporting elements or the like. Fastening means for such elements can be, for example, drill locks, clip-like devices, adhesive disposable strips or the like. The stretcher is mainly intended as an object which after use can possibly be destroyed by e.g. burning and it is therefore not necessary that the fastening devices for supports or holding devices on the stretcher are of a permanent nature and simple fastening devices such as adhesive strips can be advantageously used.

Figure 3 shows an early phase in the method for producing a stretcher according to the present invention. A frame 30 is placed so that material 34 is coiled up or otherwise stored on a first side 31 of the frame 30 and on a second side 33

of the frame 30, a rotatable device is placed where the material 34 is wrapped around the holding devices 7 for carrying handles in a stretcher. The holding devices 7 can consist of elongated tubes or the like and these are held in a mutual relationship by the holding device 35 which is rotatably connected to the second part 33 of the frame 30. The material 34 will form the reinforced or reinforcing layer on the surface of the stretcher and is mainly a fiber material. The material 34 can be pre-impregnated with an adhesive or the like. so that during later treatment it sticks to a core or other reinforcing parts of the stretcher. The material 34 is wound a desired number of times around the holding devices 7 by turning the handle 32. Optionally, this can be driven by a motor. Furthermore, the holding device 35 can also hold a core between the holding device 7 so that the material 34 is wrapped around a core.

Furthermore, Figure 4 shows a later step in the method for the production of

the stretcher according to an embodiment of the present invention. The material 34 and

the holding devices 7 are placed in a mold with an upper part 36 and a lower part 39. The mold's two parts 36, 39 together give the final shape for the stretcher and if the material 34 in figure 3 is wrapped around a core, the mold in figure 4 can be used during the curing process for the stretcher's materials to give the stretcher the correct shape. If the material 34 in Figure 3 is wrapped around the holding devices 7 without a core, an expanding core material can be injected between the upper and lower layers of material 34 and thus form a core. The core material can thus, as shown in Figure 4, be contained in a container 37 and injected via the connections 38 into the mold 36,39.

In the above, the invention is described by means of exemplified embodiments, and in light of these it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art to come up with changes and modifications to the invention. However, the description is not limiting and the invention is defined in the attached patent claims.

Claims (18)

1. Stretcher (1) with carrying handle (8) for transporting a person which stretcher (1) consists of a core (2) around which core is applied one or more layers of reinforcing material (3, 4) interconnected and connected with the core with an adhesive material and that on each side of the middle part (5) of the stretcher (1) in the transverse plane of the stretcher (1) are formed side rails (6) which give the stretcher (1) a complementary design, and that the carrying handles are placed in holding devices (7) located at the outer edge in the main longitudinal direction of the stretcher characterized in that the core (2) includes one or more tubular bodies placed in the main longitudinal direction of the stretcher (1). 2. Stretcher according to claim 1, characterized in that the core (2) includes one or more layers of a foam material. 3. Stretcher according to claim 1, characterized in that the core (2) includes one or more layers of a sheet material. 4. Stretcher according to one or more of claims 1-3, characterized in that the carrying handles (8) are fixed in tubular bodies in or at the inclined surfaces (6) formed on the side of the middle part (5) of the stretcher. 5. Stretcher according to claim 4, characterized in that the carrying handles (8) are displaceably placed in the longitudinal direction of the stretcher (1) in the tube-shaped bodies in or at the inclined surfaces (6) formed on the side of the middle part of the stretcher. 6. Stretcher according to claims 1-5, characterized in that the stretcher (1) is provided at its underside with a connecting body which enables two stretchers (1) to be connected with their undersides facing each other. 7. Stretcher according to claim 6, characterized in that the connecting body is one or more pieces with Velcro. 8. Stretcher according to claim 6, characterized in that the connecting body is one or more hook devices. 9. Stretcher according to claims 1-8, characterized in that the surface of the stretcher (1) is provided with one or more fastening devices for equipment such as support devices (10), holding straps, stretching devices or stands for medical equipment such as infusion bags etc. which are used when treating the person who is placed on the stretcher (1). 10. Stretcher according to claim 9, characterized in that the fastening devices are integrated into the construction of the stretcher (1) and are located with their upper side in essentially the same plane as the stretcher's (1) lying surface. 11. Stretcher according to claims 9-10, characterized in that the fastening devices can consist of Velcro, hooks or loops, straps or ribbons, elastic straps or elastic bands. 12. Stretcher according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stretcher is made of materials that are completely burned at or above approx. 700°C. 13. Carrying handle for a stretcher (1), which carrying handle (8) is displaceably placed in the longitudinal direction of the stretcher (1) in a holding device (7) in the stretcher (1) and which carrying handle (8) is placed with a locking device that can lock the carrying handle ( 8) in a desired shifted position in the holding device (7) in relation to the stretcher (1), characterized in that the locking device is formed by the carrying handle (8) being provided with a pin, splinter or the like. which can be turned in a locking slot in the holding device (7) in the stretcher. 14. Carrying handle for a stretcher (1), which carrying handle (8) is displaceably placed in the longitudinal direction of the stretcher (1) in a holding device (7) in the stretcher (1) and which carrying handle (8) is placed with a locking device that can lock the carrying handle ( 8) in a desired displaced position in the holding device (7) in relation to the stretcher (1), characterized in that the locking device is formed by the carrying handle (8) being designed with a conical surface which, when the carrying handle (8) is displaced in the holding device (7) meets an opposite conical surface and locks the carrying handle in the extended position. 15. Method for manufacturing a stretcher according to claims 1-12, characterized in that a material (34) and a hardening binder are wound on two holding devices (7) a desired number of times so that the material (34) forms an internal cavity in the stretcher between the holding devices, the holding devices (7) and the material (34) are placed in a form (36, 39) which gives the material (34) the same external shape as the finished stretcher, and the stretcher remains in the mold (36, 39) until the binders in the stretcher have fully hardened, the mold (36, 39) is opened and the finished stretcher is taken out. 16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that a core material is placed between the holding devices (7). 17. Method according to claims 15-16 characterized in that stiffening structural elements are placed in the core material. 18. Method according to claims 15-17, characterized in that core material is injected into the internal cavity formed by the material (34) while this is located in the mold (36, 39).