U.S. patent application number 10/595851 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-21 for rescue dragging bag.
Invention is credited to Hans-Ulrich Zuercher.
Application Number | 20070136950 10/595851 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34620982 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070136950 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zuercher; Hans-Ulrich |
June 21, 2007 |
Rescue dragging bag
Abstract
The invention relates to a device for transporting and rescuing
people from danger areas, said device including a heat-resistant
film or canvas. The bag-like device (1) is formed by a central
section (2) and overlapping lateral folding panels (3, 4) arranged
on both sides of the central section (2). A foot pocket (5) is
formed by the longitudinal end region of the central section (2) of
the bag. The outer edges (6) of the central section (2) of the bag
are provided with bands (7) that can be connected to each other
when the lateral folding panels (3, 4) are overlapping in the
closed state, by means of quick acting fasteners (8), thereby
securing the person to be transported. The outer side of the foot
pocket (5) and the outer side of the central section (2) of the bag
are coated with a fireproof, friction-resistant and tear-proof
fabric (10). Carrying straps (9) are arranged at the outer edges
(6) of the central section (2) of the bag in order to transport a
person in the rescue bag (1). A felt mat (11) is provided inside
the bag, for protecting the person from impacts during
transport.
Inventors: |
Zuercher; Hans-Ulrich;
(Oberentfelden, CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HENRY M FEIEREISEN, LLC
350 FIFTH AVENUE
SUITE 4714
NEW YORK
NY
10118
US
|
Family ID: |
34620982 |
Appl. No.: |
10/595851 |
Filed: |
November 12, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
November 12, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CH04/00686 |
371 Date: |
May 16, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/627 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/086 20130101;
A61G 1/01 20130101; A62B 5/00 20130101; A61G 7/0504 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/627 |
International
Class: |
A47B 1/00 20060101
A47B001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 21, 2003 |
CH |
01999/03 |
Aug 23, 2004 |
CH |
01376/04 |
Claims
1. Rescue dragging bag for persons comprising, a heat resistant
sheeting or canvas, wherein overlapping lateral folding panels (3,
4) are disposed at and extending laterally from a bag central
section (2), and that a longitudinal end area of the center section
(2) forms a pocket (5) for placing the person's feet, and that
means (7) are provided at the central section (2) for tightly
gathering the overlapping lateral folding panels (3, 4), and that
the outer surface of the foot pocket (5) and the outer surface of
at least the lower half of the rescue bag is coated with an
abrasion- and tear resistant fabric (10).
2. Rescue dragging bag according to claim 1, wherein the means (7)
for tightly gathering the overlapping lateral folding panels (3, 4)
disposed at the outer surfaces of the bag center section (2) are
bands (7) with quick action closures (8) by which the folded and
overlapping side panels are tightly strapped to each other.
3. Rescue dragging bag according to claim 1, wherein the means (7)
for tightly gathering the lateral folding panels (3, 4) are hook
and loop fasteners (13) sewn to the lateral folding panels (3, 4)
by means of which the overlapping and folded side panels can be
firmly fastened.
4. Rescue dragging bag according to claim 1, wherein the bag
central section (2), the lateral folding panels (3, 4) and the foot
pocket (5) are made form glass fiber fabric or from a mixed fabric
of Kevlar.RTM. or Panox.RTM..
5. Rescue dragging bag according to claim 1, wherein the outer
coating (10) of the bag center section (2) and the foot pocket are
from Kevlar.RTM. coated with polyurethane carbon.
6. Rescue dragging bag according to claim 5, wherein the outer
coating (10) is sewn to the bag center section (2) and the foot
pocket and the resulting bottom seams are covered with a protective
tape made from the coating material.
7. Rescue dragging bag according to claim 1, wherein disposed at
the head end area of the bag center section (2) is at least one
carrying strap (9), at the transverse end at least one carrying
strap (9) is disposed laterally right and left at the side edges
(8) of the canvas center section (2).
8. Rescue dragging bag according to claim 2, wherein the bands (7)
that are attached to the bag center section (2) are quick action
fastener straps which are connectible by means of a snap fastener
(8) or plug fastener (8).
9. Rescue dragging bag according to claim 1, wherein the rescue bag
(1) is reinforced on the inside with a felt mat (11).
10. Rescue dragging bag according to claim 1, wherein the bag
center section (2), the lateral folding panels (3, 4), the foot
pocket (5), the carrying straps (9) and the bands (7) are sewn up.
Description
[0001] The invention refers to a device for the transport and
rescue of persons from dangerous environments in accordance with
the preamble of claim 1.
[0002] The problem when rescuing human life form burning houses or
buildings is in many cases the failure to be able to speedily
remove the persons from the area of danger. This is in particular
true for such public buildings as hospitals or old age homes, where
many ailing or frail persons who are not ambulatory need to rely on
outside help in order to leave the building. Rescue services have
generally only a certain number of rescue stretchers available and
often persons to be rescued have to be carried by at least two
rescuers over several floors and stair cases. In addition, there is
often a problem with the rescue stretchers to which the person to
be rescued in strapped, in particular, the ability to transport the
stretcher through very narrow stair cases or moving them around
very narrow stair case turns and thus, requiring a great amount of
human effort and strength. In most such cases, the stretcher cannot
even be carried in a horizontal position, which further aggravates
the transport and consumes valuable time. In a fire, firefighters
are usually the first ones arriving at the scene for persons to be
rescued. At that time, the rescue stretcher is first ordered, which
again is time consuming and thereby delaying the rescue or, the
injured person is moved away from the danger zone, which proves
difficult and time consuming when the person is injured or
disabled.
[0003] Besides stretchers, other rescue means are also known such
as rescue cloths, rescue mattresses and dragging foils. U.S. Pat.
No. 5,189,746 discloses a device for emergency evacuation of
persons with limited mobility from a building. The device includes
an elongated, planar rigid base element with a fire resistant outer
shell for protecting the person being transported on the base
element. The underside is provided with carpeting in order to
provide greater ease when dragging the device across the floor. The
rescue device also includes adjustable belts for securing the
person to the device. Handles for carrying or dragging the rescue
device are arranged laterally at the side ends of the base element.
Thereby the rescue device can be pulled or lifted from each end.
The draw-back is that the base element, which is rigid, renders the
rescue device inflexible and hard to handle. Since the base element
of the device is rigid, it behaves more as a stretcher when
transport through a narrow stair case is required. Thus, due to the
rigid nature of the base element, the device cannot be folded or
rolled so that it cannot be carried in a rescue operation as a
precaution.
[0004] From publication U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,254, a device is known,
which is formed from an elongated fire resistant canvas, which can
be folded into a bag-like case. Straps provided at the side walls
of the canvas are used for securing the person to be evacuated. At
one end of the canvas, carrying straps are provided for pulling the
baglike case. The bag can be advantageously rolled up so that it
can be easily carried in case of an emergency. Since the bag is not
reinforced, dragging it across a surface thus provides little
protection to the person to be rescued inside.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a simple
and cost efficient device that can be easily carried by rescue
personnel and with which, in an emergency, a person to be rescued
and unable to walk, can be efficiently removed from the danger
zone, and wherein the device provides sufficient protection and
stability during transport and in case of fire, protection against
heat and fire.
[0006] This object is realized by means of a device which comprises
the elements as set forth in claim 1.
[0007] According to the present invention, the rescue dragging bag
for humans includes a heat resistant foil or canvas. Arranged at a
canvas center section are overlapping lateral folding panels and at
a longitudinal end area of the central section, a pocket is formed
for receiving the feet of the rescued person. Straps are provided
at the center section at the outside, which are connectible to each
other after the overlapping lateral panels have been folded over
the person in order to securely strap the person to be rescued into
the rescue bag. The outside of the foot pocket as well as at least
a section of the outside of the center section of the canvas are
coated with an abrasion and tear resistant fabric which, on the one
hand facilitates the dragging of the rescue bag, and on the other
hand, is suitably abrasion resistant upon dragging the bag.
Provided at the outer side edges of the bag center section, at
least in the head area, are three carrying straps and in the area
of the foot pocket at least one carrying strap for carrying or
dragging the rescue bag. On the inside of the bag, a support is
provided, made from felt, for protecting the person to be rescued
against impacts from rough surfaces when being dragged. The
advantage of the rescue bag according to the present invention as
compared with the devices used in conventional rescue techniques
is, on the one hand, the flexibility of handling the rescue bag and
on the other hand, that it is possible for a single person to carry
out the rescue operation in transporting the injured or removing
the injured form the area of danger. Thus, in rolled-up form, the
rescue bag can be ready for use in an emergency situation in which
fire fighters or rescue personnel are in action, whereby it is
possible to carry the rolled-up bag strapped to the respiratory
equipment. In an emergency situation, the rescue bag is unrolled in
seconds, ready for placing the person to be rescued inside the bag
and covering the person for protection with the foldable side
panels. Subsequently, the person inside the bag is secured by
connecting the belt bands that are provided at the outside of the
bag center section and to be transported away by one or more
persons from the immediate danger zone. In most cases, a stretcher
is not available at the moment of emergency and also is too bulky
to be taken routinely to an emergency site by rescue personnel. In
addition, recovering an injured person on a stretcher or a rescue
cloth requires the input of several persons. By dragging a person
to be rescued form the danger zone, much less energy is required
and can also be done by a single person. Likewise, this reduces the
time it takes to carry out the rescue and narrow stair cases no
longer pose a problem, due to the flexible nature of the rescue
dragging bag. Due to its configuration and flexibility as well as
the characteristics of its material, the rescue bag is not only
well suited for transport but also provides protection against heat
and flames. On the one hand, a rescue operator who carries the
rescue bag can protect himself against the fire using the unrolled
bag. On the other hand, with the rescue bag, a person trapped in a
burning vehicle can for example be protected against flames until
the trapped person is able to be recovered from the accident
vehicle which greatly reduces the danger of bums.
[0008] Further advantages of the invention follow from the
dependent claims and from the following description, in which the
invention is described in further detail with reference to an
embodiment as illustrated in the schematic drawings.
[0009] It is shown in:
[0010] FIG. 1 a top view of the rescue dragging bag in schematic
illustration;
[0011] FIG. 2 the rescue dragging bag showing a person occupying
the bag protectively covered by the lateral folding panels and
secured in the bag with bands;
[0012] FIG. 3 two different embodiments of the rescue dragging
bag;
[0013] FIG. 4 the rescue dragging bag in use;
[0014] FIG. 5 the rescue dragging bag rolled-up not in use and
carried by emergency rescue personnel.
[0015] Throughout all the Figures, same or corresponding elements
are generally indicated by same reference numerals and the
description refers to all figures unless otherwise noted.
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a top view of the rescue dragging bag 1 in
schematic illustration. The rescue bag 1 includes a bag center
section 2 and laterally extending from the center section 2 on each
side are overlapping lateral folding panels 3, 4. These lateral
folding panels 3, 4 are sewn to the center section 2 in lengthwise
fashion. The longitudinal end area of the center section 2 is
formed from the extension of the center section 2 into a pocket 5
for receiving the feet of the person to be rescued. This foot
pocket 5 protects the feet and prevents the person sliding out from
the rescue bag 1 during transport. The foot pocket 5 is formed by a
fold-over of an extension of the center section at the lower end
area of the center section 2. The part of the canvas extension
which is folded over is then sewn to the side edges 6 of the center
section 2, thereby forming a pocket. Provided in the area of the
center section 2 are means for firmly holding the lateral folding
panels 3, 4 together, such as for example, bands 7 connected to the
outer edges of the center section 2. Bands 7 can be quick-operating
closure straps with snap buckles 8 or plug buckles. These
facilitate the fast opening and closing or the drawing together of
the straps to thereby realize the rescue of the person in the
rescue dragging bag 1. The bands 7 are preferably of the same
material as the canvas of the rescue bag 1. Should a small person
or a child be transported in the rescues bag 1, the bands 7 can be
crossed in the chest area and connected to the opposite
corresponding band portions. This prevents, that band 7 becomes for
example lodged at the level of the neck area, which can be annoying
to the person to be rescued or can even lead to injuries. The
lateral folding panels 3, 4 can also be provided with a hook and
loop fastener 13, wherein the respective hook or loop material is
sewn directly onto the lateral folding panels 3, 4. In that case,
straps or bands are not necessary for holding the lateral folding
panels 3, 4 together. The outside of the foot pocket 5 and the
outside of at least the lower half of the canvas center section 2
has a coating of an abrasion and tear-proof fabric material which
is glued, hot-glued or sewn to the center section 2 and foot pocket
5. The lower seams can also be covered by gluing strips of coating
material over the seams of the rescue bag 1 in order to protect
them from wear when dragging the bag 1 over rough, hard material
such as for example concrete. Suitable material for producing the
center section 2 with its integrally formed foot pocket 5 and the
lateral flaps or lateral folding panels 3, 4 sewn to the center
section 2 are glass fiber fabric which due to its heat resistance
and durability is especially suitable or for example, a mixed
fabric material known commercially under the trademark Kevlar.RTM.
or Panox.RTM.. Of course, any other suitable material with the
properties of heat and tear resistance can also be used for the
production of the rescue bag 1. An outer coating 10 at the
underside of the center section 2 and the outside of the foot
pocket 5 can be for example from a Kevlar.RTM. material with a
polyurethane coating. On the one hand, this outer coating 10 should
confer certain stability to the rescue bag 1 but at the same time
remain flexible. When drawing together the bands 7, the center
section 2 with the outer coating 10 is laterally lifted and forms a
shell, which is designed to protect the person in the rescue bag 1
when the rescue bag 1 is dragged across an uneven surface or across
stairs. On the other hand, the outer coating 10 also protects the
canvas and the canvas seams as well as the foot portion 5 from
abrasion when dragging the rescue bag 1 across the floor. Hereby is
especially the area of the foot portion 5 under stress. If the
outer coating 10 is too worn or used up, the defective spot can
easily be repaired by placing a patch of outer coating 10 and
hot-gluing it to the outside of the bag in order to repair the bag.
In order to protect the rescue bag 1 in the area of the foot pocket
from too much abrasion, this section can be additionally provided
on the underside of that section with lamella. Since the outer
coating 10 is also heat resistant, the ability of the rescue bag 1
to act as a heat screen is increased. The materials used permit
short term peak temperatures of over 500 degree centigrade without
igniting the material. The interior of the rescue bag is covered
with a mat 11 which is for example, made from felt. This mat 11
reinforces the center section 2 and provides additional protection
to the person to be transported from heat and bumps while the bag
is being dragged. At the head end section of the center section 2
and at the side edges 6 of the center section 2 and in the area of
the foot pocket 5, carrying straps are arranged, which serve the
purpose of transporting the person secured in the bag by carrying
or dragging. When the rescue bag 1 is being dragged by two persons,
they grab the carrying straps 9 which are located laterally in the
area of the head or shoulders of the person in the bag. Thus, the
carriers can retain eye contact with the person in the rescue bag
1. Advantageously, several carrying straps 9 are disposed at the
side edges 6 so the rescuers can grab the rescue bag 1 adjusted to
the size of the person to be rescued in the respective area of the
head or the shoulders. In embodiments modified for special use of
the rescue bag 1, through reinforcements of the carrying straps 9
and the bands 7, it is possible to carry out rescues with the aid
of ropes if they are necessary for example in rescues from a shaft
or rescues made from some heights.
[0017] FIG. 2 shows a person in a rescue bag 1 protectively covered
by the lateral folding panels 3, 4 and secured in the bag with
bands 7. In the area of the lower body and the feet, the outer
coating 10 can be recognized at the outside of the foot pocket 5 of
the bag center section 2. The head is supported by the felt mat 11
in the interior of the rescue bag 1. The body is entirely and
protectively wrapped by the rescue bag material and secured in the
rescue bag 1 be means of the bands 7.
[0018] FIG. 3 shows two variants of embodiments of the rescue bag
1. The left hand illustration shows a rescue bag 1 wherein quick
fastening bands 7 with fastener 8 are arranged at the lateral edges
of the center section 2. The right hand illustration shows a rescue
bag 1 wherein the hook and loop fasteners 13 are arranged at the
lateral folding panels 3, 4. The hook and loop material of the
fastener 13 is thereby sewn directly to the lateral folding panels.
The person to be rescued is placed into the rescue bag 1 and
protectively covered by the lateral folding panels. 3, 4. To do
this, the lateral folding panels are pulled tightly towards each
other and folded in overlapping manner such that the hook and loop
tape material of the fastener sewn to the side panels match up to
the corresponding hook and loop tape 13 of the folding side panel 4
for engagement. In this manner a person can be quickly wrapped into
the rescue bag 1 and transported away.
[0019] FIG. 4 shows the rescue dragging bag 1 in operation. The
person is shown, as in FIG. 2, wrapped into the rescue bag 1 and is
being dragged by two fire fighters across stairs. The outer coating
10, in conjunction with the felt mat 11 disposed on the inside of
rescue bag 1, dampens the impact from the stairs and protects the
person to be rescued during the dragging of the rescue bag 1. The
body of the person to be rescued is almost entirely covered by the
heat resistant material of the rescue bag 1, thereby being
protected from the heat and flames. Also, if necessary, the face of
the person can be covered by the lateral folding panels 3, 4. The
person to be rescued is wrapped, similar to a mummy, and in this
manner can be removed quickly from the danger zone by either
dragging or carrying. Due to its flexibility, the rescue bag 1 can
be also dragged or carried across stairs or through narrow turns in
a stair case. It is also possible that at narrow passages the
rescue bag can be dragged by a single person. In this manner, it is
possible to rescue an injured person in simple manner very quickly
away from the danger zone into a secure environment and to transfer
the person to be rescued there to other rescue personnel for
further aid.
[0020] FIG. 5 shows a fire fighter who is equipped with respiratory
equipment and who carries next to the oxygen tank a rolled-up
rescue bag 1. The rescue bag 1, which is attached to the oxygen
tank by means of strap 12, is ready for operation with a simple
manual move. The roll is placed next to the person to be rescued
and unrolled with its side panels 3, 4 folded open. The rescuers
lift or roll the injured person onto the center section 2 of the
bag and fold the lateral folding panels 3, 4 so they overlap across
the person, then the bands 7 are drawn together and the snap
fastener 8 closed. Thus, the injured person is ready in the
shortest time to be transported away in the rescue bag 1.
[0021] The rescue bag 1 can be utilized not only in rescue
operations such as carried out by fire fighters or rescue
personnel, but can also be utilized in permanent places such as in
hospitals and old age homes, for example in a situation where a
disabled or injured person must be transported away from a danger
zone. Patients are often too heavy to be carried by nursing
personnel. Even a not so strong person can transport a heavy person
in the rescue bag 1. In this area of application of the rescue bag
1, can likewise be used as a heat shield or as a protective cloth
against flames.
[0022] The rescue bag 1, which can be produced in a simple and cost
effective manner, can be manufactured in a variety of embodiments
depending on the specific area of application, whereby the main
differences in the embodiments is in the type of material used. One
version of the rescue bag 1 for rescue personnel is advantageously
made from Kevlar.RTM. or Panox.RTM. mixed material, which is known
for its durability, while an embodiment utilized for rescues from
buildings is advantageously made from fiberglass. The outer coating
10 is formed form protective material of Kevlar.RTM. with a
polyurethane carbon coating. The mat in the interior of the bag is
from felt. Of course other suitable material having advantageous
properties can be likewise used.
* * * * *