Lightweight Stretcher

Abstract

This lightweight stretcher has tubular side rails formed of a light metal, such as aluminum. A cross rail is provided with a laterally extensible slide at each side, which preferably carry handles, while interlocking means permit the cross rail to be moved longitudinally when the slides are in inward position, but to be locked on the side rails when the slides are pulled out laterally. In one form, the side rails are continuous and only one cross rail is provided, while in another form, the side rails are longitudinally separable, with retractable connectors extending from each portion of the side rail into the opposite portion. The side rails are connected to the ends by a head bar and a foot bar. A narrow pad, as of foam rubber, is supported by a metal strip over each side rail, while a pair of cross pieces extend between the pads, to support the head of the patient. The spacing between the cross pieces is such that, with the patient face down, the nose will extend between the cross pieces, so that the patient may breathe. The support for the pad also has cross bars which extend beneath the cross pieces of the pad and also at spaced longitudinal positions.

Description

This invention relates to stretchers, such as for moving injured persons from the scene of an accident to a hospital or the like, at which medical treatment may be given.

Previous types of stretchers comprised principally merely an adaptation of a canvas cot. That is, a canvas strip extended between side rails, the ends of which were utilized as handles to carry an injured person. Due to unavoidable movement of the patient on the stretcher, serious injuries often became more complicated, while extreme measures were often necessary to immobilize a part, such as a fractured leg or the like, but often without much success. Furthermore, such stretchers are awkward to handle and inconvenient to move, particularly along rough terrain, or in an out of the way place, such as a tunnel, etc. More recently, as in mountain rescue work, a so-called wire basket has been utilized which is made similarly to the construction which the name implies and is separable into two parts. While the patient can be strapped in such a basket to preclude falling out, the contour of the basket is such that complete immobilization of a fracture is difficult and relative movement of the patient with respect to the basket is possible, which may produce considerable discomfort, shock, or undo the effects of first-aid work. Other stretcher constructions appear to be open to most or all of the objections to the above constructions. Of course, a non-collapsible stretcher which is merely placed in an ambulance and used for transporting a patient from the ambulance to the hospital, need not be particularly light in weight, but such stretchers are not conveniently carried any distance, and also cannot be stored in an automobile trunk or similar space.

Among the objects of the present invention are to provide a stretcher which is comparatively light in weight and may be readily carried about; to provide such a stretcher which, in one form, may be disassembled and readily carried or stored in disassembled condition; to provide such a stretcher which may be readily assembled, and the parts of which may be readily adjusted for use; to provide such a stretcher on which a patient may rest and to which a patient may be attached so as to immobilize substantially completely a desired part of the body; to provide such a stretcher which provides sufficient comfort for the patient, even when the body is immobilized in position; to provide such a stretcher to which numerous straps may be attached in fixed or removable positions; to provide such a stretcher which permits traction on a fractured leg, arm, back, neck, or other bone, to be readily accomplished; to provide such a stretcher on which a patient may be readily carried over rough terrain; to provide such a stretcher which permits the patient to be carried in a vertical position, such as for movement through narrow vertical spaces or up or down a mine shaft, stope or the like; to provide such a stretcher which can be easily lifted in either horizontal or vertical position; to provide such a stretcher which may be provided with a wheel for movement along a trail or relatively smooth terrain; to provide such a stretcher in which first-aid measures, such as blood plasma or a substitute therefor, may be readily supplied to the patient; to provide such a stretcher which permits other treatment, such as reduction of fractures, to be easily accomplished; to provide such a stretcher which, in another form, may be produced more economically by eliminating transverse disassembly but retaining disassembly into longitudinal parts; to provide such a form which fulfills all of the foregoing objects applicable thereto; to provide each such form which is readily and conveniently manufactured; and to provide each such form which is sufficiently rugged to withstand the rigours of hard usage.

Additional objects and the novel features of this invention will become apparent from the description which follows, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a stretcher forming one embodiment of this invention, certain parts being shown in extended relation;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the stretcher of FIG. 1, with certain pads omitted for clarity of illustration, certain movable parts shown in closed position and certain separable parts shown in disassembled position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, lontitudinally condensed, vertical section taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinally condensed section taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary transverse section taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross section taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a partial transverse section, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a condensed side elevation, illustrating the use of the stretcher of FIG. 1 in applying traction to the head and the foot of a patient and an attachment for use in supplying blood plasma or the like;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation of one end of the stretcher, illustrating use of a wheel for easier transportation along a trail or comparatively smooth terrain;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a stretcher also constructed in accordance with this invention as another form thereof, particularly eliminating transverse disassembly but retaining substantially all other features;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a pad support of the stretcher of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the frame of the stretcher of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary transverse section, on an enlarged scale and taken along line 13--13 of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary longitudinal section, on a further enlarged scale and taken along line 14--14 of FIG. 10.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a stretcher constructed in accordance with this invention and forming one embodiment thereof, may include a pair of tubular side rails adapted to be connected together during use and to be separated so that the stretcher may be divided into two parts for transportation or packing purposes. Thus, a head portion of the stretcher may include tubular side rails 10 and 11, while a foot portion may include tubular side rails 10' and 11'. The tubes 10 and 11 may be connected together, at the head end, by a reinforcing tube 12, and the tubes 10' and 11' connected together at the foot by reinforcing tube 12'. The opposite ends of the tubes 10 and 11 may each be provided with a removable collar 13, and the opposite ends of the tubes 10' and 11' with collars 13', for attachment of pads in a manner described later. The head and foot portions may be connected together by tubular connectors 14 and 14', which extend from the tubes 10' and 11' into the tubes 10 and 11, respectively, as in FIG. 3, or may be removed therefrom and pushed back into the tubes 10' and 11' for disassembly. A pad P is mounted on the head side rails 10 and 11, and a similar pad P' is mounted on the foot side rails 10' and 11', the pads being constructed in a manner described subsequently. A plurality of cross rails 15, 16 and 17 are mounted on the side rails for longitudinal movement and are adapted to be locked in position, these cross rails not only forming reinforcements for the side rails but also providing points for attachment of immobilizing straps and for the attachment of handles or the like. Thus, a cross rail 15 and a cross rail 16 may be slidable along the side rails 10 and 11, while a cross rail 17 may be slidable along the side rails 10' and 11'. In general, the cross rail 15 may be considered as a shoulder cross rail, the cross rail 16 as a groin cross rail, and the cross rail 17 as an ankle cross rail. Each end of each of the cross rails 15, 16 and 17 is provided with a tubular slide 18, which may be moved outwardly to the position of FIG. 1, or inwardly to the position of FIG. 2, each of the slides 18 carrying at its outer end a pivoted handle 19 by which the stretcher with the patient thereon may be carried. The pad P, in addition to extending longitudinally on top of the side rails 10 and 11, may include a pair of head cross pieces 20 and 21, which are spaced apart a sufficient distance to support the face of a patient, with the nose and mouth extending between the cross pieces 20 and 21 to enable the patient to breath when lying face downward on the stretcher.

Each of the pads P and P' may be constructed in the manner shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, that is, two pairs of metal base plates 22 are formed of aluminum strip or the like, with each pair connected together near the center of the stretcher by cross pieces 23, the foot pair being connected together at the foot by a cross piece 23' and the head pair by similar cross pieces beneath cross pads 20 and 21. Relatively thick strips 24 of foam rubber or the like are secured to strips 22, as by adhesive, the thickness of the foam rubber strips conveniently being equal to their width and the distance between the strips being sufficient that a patient lying on the pads will feel comfortable. Also, the pads tend to prevent the possibility of further injury, yet permit access to as many points of wounds or the like as possible. The patient may, of course, be placed on his back, side, or face down. Thus, the strips may be made of foam rubber 2 inches wide and 2 inches thick, with the total width between the outside edges of the pads being about 9 inches, although these dimensions may be varied as desired. The foam rubber strips 24 may be covered with a water proof, washable covering 25 of a suitable material, such as a plastic sheet, as in FIG. 3. The plates 22 may be removably attached at one end to the side rails, as by snap fasteners 26, shown in FIG. 3, and one half of which may be mounted on the underside of the metal plate 23, with the opposite half of the snap mounted on the collar 13 or 13'. The opposite ends of the pads may be attached by screws or snaps to the tubes 12 and 12', respectively.

Assuming that a patient is lying on his back on the pads P and P' of FIG. 1, with the back of his head resting on the cross pieces 20 and 21 and his legs extending along the lower ends of the side pieces of the pad P', he may be substantially immobilized by fastening various straps around appropriate portions of his body, as by the adjustable straps shown in the dotted lines in FIG. 1. Thus, his head may be immobilized by fastening an adjustable head strap 28 around his head, the head strap 28 being attached to a rail 10 at one side and a rail 11 at the opposite side. His shoulders may be immobilized by a pair of adjustable straps 29 attached to cross rail 15, and each passing upwardly through the arm pits and over one of his shoulders and back to the cross rail 15. A chest strap 30 may pass over his chest from one side rail 10 to the opposite side rail 11, with a rib strap 31 and a hip strap 32 similarly extending between the side rails, and passing over the respective portions of his body. A pair of groin straps 33, attached to the cross rail 16, may extend between his legs and over the portion of the hips adjacent the groin and thence back to the cross rail 16. One thigh strap 34 may be attached to side rail 10', and another thigh strap 34 to side rail 11', for passage over the thighs and connection back to the respective side rails. Similarly, each knee strap 35 may extend from the respective side rail 10' or 11', over the appropriate portion of the leg, and then back to the side rail from which it originated, while ankle straps 36 may be connected at each end of the cross rail 17.

The straps may be provided with suitable devices for adjustment, such as buckles which are preferably adjustable to any length necessary to accommodate from the smallest to the largest person who might be carried by the stretcher. As will be evident, with use of the foregoing straps, the entire body, except the arms, may be immobilized, while the arms may be immobilized by suitable straps or the like fastening the arms and/or the wrists together and to one or both of the side rails. The degree and extent of immobilization depends, of course, upon the place or places at which the patient is injured. Generally speaking, the shoulder straps 29, groin straps 33 and ankle straps 36 are sufficient to secure the patient firmly to the stretcher, it being noted that these straps are attached to the cross rails 15, 16 and 17, respectively. Thus, depending upon the extent and location of the injury, additional immobilization straps may be utilized. Nevertheless, with only the three sets of straps just mentioned, a patient is securely attached to the stretcher and the stretcher may be tipped, raised upright, or even tipped upside down, without the patient becoming dislodged from the stretcher.

In addition to immobilization of the desired parts of the body, it may often happen that an arm, leg, spine or other bone is fractured, and to reduce pain and discomfort, as well as to minimize the possibility of further injury, traction on an appropriate part of the body is desirable. For this purpose, both the head and the foot of the stretcher are provided with extensible traction elements, so that a longitudinal pull may be produced on a desired portion of the body. Thus, a strap or the like may be attached to the foot or to the head, for instance, and also to the respective traction element and fastened in position after the necessary traction pull has been produced. At the head of the stretcher, the traction element may include a pair of longitudinal slides 38 and 39, which are movable inwardly and outwardly in the tubular side rails 10 and 11 and on the extending ends of which is mounted a transverse tube 40 which carries a pair of laterally extensible, transverse slides 41 and 42, adapted to remain in an inner position, as in FIG. 2, or to be moved to an outer position, as in FIG. 1. The slides 41 and 42 may be provided with eyes 43 to which a set of cables may be attached for lifting purposes. The traction elements at the foot of the stretcher may include longitudinal slides 38' and 39', movable inwardly and outwardly in the side rails 10' and 11', respectively, and on the extending ends of which is mounted a tube 40', in turn carrying transverse slides 41' and 42', provided with eyes 43', at their outer ends, as before. A pair of lifting eyes 44 may also be attached to the reinforcing tube 12' at the foot for vertical lifts, while the eyes 43' at the foot may be utilized for horizontal lifts, in the same manner as the eyes 43 at the head. The reinforcing tube 12, at the head, may also be provided with a short vertical tube 45 which extends through a hole drilled in tube 12 for that purpose, and is welded or otherwise permanently attached thereto, so that the tube 45 may provide a socket or base in order to receive a post on which a lantern, or a container for blood plasma, glucose, or the like, or oxygen, may be suitably mounted, as in the manner hereinafter described.

The foot traction element may be additionally provided with auxiliary wheel slides 46, as in FIG. 3, movable inwardly and outwardly in the longitudinal foot slides 38' and 39', with a pin 47 extending therebetween. The pin 47 may act as the axle for a wheel and is preferably removable, so that the wheel may be placed between the slides 46 and the pin 47 inserted therein, with spacing collars 48 utilized, if necessary, to maintain the wheel centered. The wheel may be an auxiliary part which is normally carried with the stretcher, and available for use when it is known that the stretcher will be moved over a path or relatively smooth terrain, being conveniently utilized in the manner illustrated in FIG. 9, wherein the wheel hub 49 is mounted on the pin 47 of FIG. 1 and the hub 49 is provided with a tire 50, preferably pneumatic. The stretcher may be supported by one or more persons at the end opposite the wheel, and may be held at any angle which will produce a maximum speed coupled with a minimum of discomfort to the patient.

The connectors 14 may be constructed and associated with the side rails in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Thus, each tubular connector 14 may be provided with a disc 52 adjacent the center and a disc 52' at the outer end, each disc being held in position by a set screw or the like and being provided with a diametrically extending hole in which a spring 53 is disposed, against which the head of a pin or button 54 abuts, the head preventing the pin 54 from moving out of the assembly. At its inner end, each connector 14 may be closed by a disc 55 which may be permanently secured in position and through which extends a rod 56 having a head 57. Each connector 14 is movable inwardly and outwardly in the side rail 10' or 11', as the case may be, and is prevented from outward movement more than a predetermined distance by the head 57 of rod 56 being carried during such movement by the rod. The inner end of each rod 56 is attached to a fixed disc 58, as by the inner end of the rod 56 being received in a suitable aperture in the center of disc 58 and locked to the disc by a pin 59, which also extends through the walls of the side rail to lock the disc in position. Rod 56 is also provided with a keyway cooperating with the aperture in disc 55, or other means provided to prevent rotation of connectors 14. A compression spring 60 surrounds each rod 56, and is compressed when a connector 14 is moved into the side rail 10' or 11', as to a position such that the outer pin 54' will engage hole 61 in the side rail, engaged by pin 54 in FIG. 4. As will be evident, the connector 14 may be moved into the side rail 10' or 11', only if the pin 54 is pushed inwardly until the inside of the side rail is cleared, whereupon the connector may be pushed into the side rail. Such inward movement will cause spring 60 to be compressed, but when pin 54' engages hole 61, the connector 14 will be locked in inner or disassembled position. However, when the pin 54' is pushed inwardly for release, the spring 60 will force the connector 14 outwardly a sufficient distance that the end thereof may be grasped and the connector pulled out to the position illustrated in FIG. 4, i.e., locked in outer position by pin 54. Then, the pin 54' of each connector 14 may be depressed and the ends of the connector inserted in the side rails 10 and 11, which are preferably provided with suitable holes adapted to be engaged by the pins 54' when the connectors are pushed into the latter the full distance available. In such position, since a substantial portion of each connector 14 remains within the side rail 10' or 11' when in extended position, the head and foot portions of the side rails will be solidly connected together and the head and foot parts will be held together in assembled position, as in FIG. 1.

The handle slides 18 are preferably adapted to cooperate with a suitable locking mechanism constructed so that when the handle slides are in an inner position, as in FIG. 2, the cross rails 15, 16 or 17 may be moved horizontally along the side rails. However, as soon as the required position for the shoulder straps, groin straps and ankle straps for a particular patient has been found, it is desirable to lock the cross rails to the side rails, so that movement in either direction longitudinally will then be prevented. Before the position of the cross rails is determined, it is generally unnecessary to move the stretcher with the patient on it, so that movement of the handle slides 18 outwardly may be utilized to lock the cross rails in the desired positions. For movement along the side rails, each cross rail, such as the cross rail 16 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, may be connected by a ring 63 to each side rail. However, instead of being connected directly to the ring 63, a short tubular housing 64, as in FIG. 3, or formed of weld metal, as in FIG. 7, is preferably interposed between each cross rail and each ring 63. In addition, the cross rail is provided with a hole 65 concentric with housing 64, to provide space for reception of a detent ball 66. Each of the side rails 10 and 10', 11 and 11', is provided with a series of conical holes 67 which are spaced at regular distances along the bottom of each side rail, as in FIG. 2, such as 2 inches apart. Holes 67 may be punched or machined, as desired, in the side rails, and are adapted to be engaged by the detent balls 66 to lock the cross rails to the side rails when each detent ball thereof is forced into a hole 67, as in FIG. 3, and at the left in FIG. 7. It will be noted that the length of housing 64 is such that the handle slide 18 will normally force the ball 66 into a hole 67, thereby locking the cross rail to the side rail when the handle slide is in an outer position. However, each handle slide 18 is provided adjacent its outer end with a peripheral or transverse groove 68, which may be machined or rolled into the tubular slide 18, and which is of sufficient size that with the handle slides 18 moved inwardly, as at the right in FIG. 7, each detent ball 66 will drop into a groove 68 and thereby clear the bottom of a side rail and thus permit the cross rail to be moved along the side rail.

The outer end of each handle slide 18 may be closed by a plug 69, as in FIG. 7, and the handles 19 may be formed by loops of wire or rod, provided with a grip 70. Such wire or rod may be mounted through holes drilled or punched in the slides 18 immediately inwardly of the plug 69, and the ends then bent around so as to extend inwardly from opposite directions. Preferably, before the grip 70 is placed in position, the meeting ends of the handles 19 are welded or brazed together, to prevent separation. The outer end of each slide 41 or 42 may be closed by a similar plug 69', as in FIG. 5, for attachment of the corresponding eye 43.

The traction transverse slides 41 and 42, as well as traction slides 41' and 42', may be restrained from outward movement for more than a predetermined distance, in a similar manner. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, such restraint may be produced by a fixed rod 71 provided with a head 72 at each end, the rod extending through a disc 73 mounted at the inner end of a transverse traction slide 41, 42, 41' or 42', so that engagement of the head 72 of the rod 71 with the disc 73 limits outward movement. Each rod 72 may be mounted centrally in the tube 40 or 40', as the case may be, in a disc 74 which is fastened centrally in the tube 40 or 40', by a set screw 75, as in FIG. 6, which also clamps the rod 71 to the disc 74. In addition to a central aperture accommodating the rod 71, the disc 74 is also provided with an enlarged offset aperture 76, through which a head 72 of the rod may be passed, while the discs 73, at the inner end of the slides 41, 41', 42 or 42', are provided with a similar central aperture accommodating the rod 71 and an offset connecting aperture 76 through which a rod head 72 may be passed. The offset apertures 76 assist the assembly of the handle slides and the transverse traction slides, since the central portion of the rod 71 may be inserted in a central disc 74, then one head 72 of rod 71 may be slipped through the offset aperture 76 in a disc 73, and the rod 71, with disc 73 thereon, slipped into the tube 40 or 40', until the opposite head 72 emerges from the opposite end of the tube. Then, the opposite head 72 may be slipped through the offset aperture 76 and then into the central aperture of the disc 73 of the opposite slide. By pulling outwardly on each of the slides, the central disc 74 may be centered, and by twisting, the hole for set screw 75 may be aligned with the hole in the tube, whereupon the set screw may be placed in position and tightened. Since the rod 71 is maintained in an axially central position by the central disc 74, the end of the rod will not tend to move from the central aperture of either disc 73, thereby restricting outward movement of the respective slides. The opposed slides 18 may be similarly restrained in the cross rails 15, 16 and 17 in a similar manner, but preferably by a rod 71', as in FIG. 7, having a head 72' at one end and a nut 77 at the opposite end. Rod 71' extends through a central hole in a disc 78 attached to the inner end of each slide 18. The length of rod 71' is such that discs 78 will abut the head and nut, respectively, when each slide 18 is extended outwardly to its maximum distance.

The tubes 40 and 40' may be attached, as by welding, directly to the slides 38 and 39, or 38' and 39', but preferably are supported in a position more nearly the level of the top of pads P and P', as by short supporting tubes 80, as in FIGS. 3 and 8, welded to tube 40 and to slides 38 and 39, or to tube 40' and slides 38' and 39', as the case may be. The head slides 38 and 39 are also interchangeable with the foot slides 38' and 39', such as to permit the wheel to be used at the head end of the stretcher. The head slides 38 and 39, and also the foot slides 38' and 39', may be retained in their inner and outer positions, or in a desired intermediate position, by a spring pressed pin 81 in a disc 82 in a manner similar to the pin 54 and disc 52 in connectors 14. Pin 81 is adapted to be moved inwardly by finger pressure, and engages a series of holes provided in the respective side rail. As will be evident, similar pins 81' and discs 82' mounted in slides 46, may be used to retain the same in retracted or extended positions, through engagement with spaced holes in slides 38, 39, 38' or 39'.

In addition to the immobilization of desired parts of the body, through the straps illustrated in FIG. 1 or additional straps, traction may be applied to the head of the patient, so as to reduce a fracture of a vertebrae or other bone, or to relieve the effects of a back or neck injury. For this purpose, as illustrated in FIG. 8, traction straps 83 may extend between the transverse head slides 41 and 42 and a head harness 84. Since a patient is securely strapped to the stretcher, as much tension as is desirable may be placed on the head traction straps 83, and the same fastened in tension position.

For applying traction to a foot or leg, so as to reduce a fracture of a leg or ankle bone, an ankle strap 85 may be connected at one end to the ankle of the patient and at the opposite end to the foot transverse slide 41' or 42', depending upon whether traction is to be applied to one or to both ankles. In the event that the fracture is in the ankle bone itself, the end of the ankle strap may, instead of passing around the ankle, as shown in FIG. 8, pass around the middle and the heel of one foot, so as to apply traction to the ankle itself. In either event, the opposite end of the strap is pulled tight around the transverse slide 41' or 42' and fastened in tight position. If desired, traction may be applied to an arm, by attaching one end of a longer traction strap to the hand or wrist of the patient and attaching the opposite end to the foot traction element. Of course, splints, triangular bandages and other first aid equipment, may be utilized in preliminary treatment of a fractured arm.

In the event that the patient is suffering from shock, loss of blood, or other conditions which indicate that the same is desirable, blood plasma, glucose, dextran or other similar blood substitute or extender may be supplied to the patient, as by attaching a special fitting which includes a post 86, as in FIG. 8. The lower end of post 86 is placed in the tube 45, which extends through the head cross piece 12, as in FIGS. 1 and 2, while post 86 may be attached to the tube 45 in a suitable manner, as by locking rings, set screws or the like. The upper end of post 86 may be split longitudinally and provided with a clamp 87, utilized to hold a rod 88 in any desired vertical position, the rod 88 conveniently being provided at its upper end with a transverse bar 89 having a reverse hook at each end, as shown, so that a jar or container 90 of a solution to be supplied to the patient may be suspended. The neck of the jar or the like conveniently engages an adjustable ring 91, which prevents the jar from swaying or becoming dislodged, while the opposite hook of bar 89 may be utilized for suspending a lantern or other type of light, or any other appurtenance helpful during the treatment or transportation of the patient.

The stretcher just described, as will be evident from FIGS. 1 and 2, may be separated in two principal parts, each with all of the traction elements, handle slides and the like, moved into closed or inner positions, so as to occupy a minimum of space. Then, the two parts may be placed one on top of the other and placed in a pack, such as a canvas bag provided with shoulder straps, or other type of container, to enable a person to carry the same on his back. A pair of sheet metal boxes, one proportioned to fit between the sides of the pad P and resting on the cross rail 15, and the other proportioned to fit between the sides of the pad P', and resting on the cross rails 16 and 17, with each equivalent in depth to the distance between the top of the cross rail to the top of the pad P or P', may be filled with auxiliary equipment, including extra straps, the post 86 of FIG. 8 and its associated parts, bandages, food, splints, medicines, stimulants and other items useful in first aid treatment of injured persons. The stretcher itself, particularly when the frame elements of the stretcher are made of aluminum tubing or similar light weight material, is not particularly heavy, the weight thereof preferably being held to a maximum of 10 to 20 pounds. Thus, the stretcher can be disassembled and carried over quite rough terrain, such as up or down mountains, over glaciers, ice and rock chimneys, crevasses, aretes, couloirs and the like. For mountain rescue work, in the event that a pack in which the stretcher is contained tends to interfere with rapelling, it may be raised or lowered by auxiliary ropes, as is customary with large packs. As will be observed, the tubular cross rails on the bottom of the stretcher of FIGS. 1 and 2 may be grasped when the stretcher, with the patient thereon, is turned in upright position, so that one person can carry the stretcher while it is in this position. Of course, two persons can carry it by each grasping one of the handles attached to the cross rail 16. Since the total length of the stretcher may be approximately 75 inches and the length of each separate part slightly over 3 feet, a pack or package containing the stretcher with the two principal parts on top of one another, is readily placed in the trunk compartment, or in any other desired place, in an automobile or the like. If it is to be carried entirely by automobile, handling straps, rather than back packing straps, may be attached to a bag of canvas, plastic or the like, in which the stretcher is conveniently stored. As will be evident, the containers which fit within the pads, in the center of the stretcher parts, do not increase the space occupied by the stretcher.

While one form of the invention has been described above in detail, certain novel features of the present invention are also exemplified by the somewhat simpler embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10-14. In this embodiment, the stretcher is not separable laterally into two parts, but is separable longitudinally into three parts, which may be individually stored or carried until assembled for use, although the complete stretcher is sufficiently light that it may be carried readily by one person to a point of use. The longitudinally separable parts comprise a pad P" of FIG. 10, a pad support S of FIG. 11 and a frame F of FIG. 12, attachable together by snap fasteners, as described below. The frame F comprises a pair of tubular side rails 93 and 94 which are joined at the head ends by a tubular bar 95 and at the foot ends by a tubular bar 96, which are attached to the rails to form a rigid structure, as by welding. One cross rail may be utilized, i.e., the groin cross rail 16, which is slidable along the side rails through rings 63 and is constructed similarly to cross rail 16 of FIG. 7, thereby including a detent ball at each side for engaging an appropriate hole 67 in the corresponding side rail to lock the cross rail in adjusted position, when slides 18 are pulled out laterally. The holes 67 in the cross rails need not extend the full length of the cross rails but, as in FIG. 12, may correspond in extent to the normal adjustment range of groin cross rail 16, such as from 2 feet to 41/2 feet from the head end, as with the side rails 6 feet long. The cross rail 16 also reinforces the frame at the center. Laterally extending slides 18 may be grasped by a person at each side, in carrying the stretcher, with one or two persons carrying at each of the head and the foot by grasping the respective bars 95 and 96. Upwardly slanting eyes 43 and 43' are mounted adjacent each end of the head and foot bars, for attachment of lifting cables, as described previously, or lifting straps, as described below. Head bar 95 may also be provided, as in FIG. 10, with a tube 45' adapted for use as a socket to support a post, similar to post 86 of FIG. 8, for holding a container of plasma or the like above the patient.

The pad P" comprises merely two side strips 97 and 98 which overlie the respective side rails and are connected at the head end by cross pieces 20 and 21, spaced apart to receive the back of the head of the patient or permit the patient to lie face down on the stretcher with the forehead on cross piece 20 and the chin on cross piece 21, so the nose will be between the cross pieces. The pad may be formed of resilient material 24, as of foam rubber, as in FIGS. 13 and 14, completely enclosed by a covering 25, as of plastic, so that the entire pad may be removed for storage and/or cleaning purposes. For storage, the flexible pad may be folded over, as desired, so as to fit into a variety of spaces.

The pad support S, as in FIG. 11, may comprise a pair of side strips 100 and 101, as of aluminum, and a series of cross bars, such as including cross bars 102 and 103, underlying the pad cross pieces 20 and 21, respectively, cross bars 104 and 105 at opposite ends of the adjusting range of cross rail 16, and a cross bar 106 at the foot. The cross bars 102 to 106 are attached, as by riveting or welding, to the underside of side strips 100 and 101 and are also preferably channel-shaped but with shallow flanges, as in FIG. 14, not only to provide additional rigidity, but also to provide clearance adjacent the side rails for double headed fasteners 108 which extend through both the side strips and the cross bars, as at the position of FIG. 13. The opposite heads of each fastener 108 releasably engage a snap 109 mounted on the top of the side rails of the frame F and a snap 110 attached to the underside of pad P", at appropriate locations. As will be evident, the pad support S may be snapped into the frame F and the pad P" may then be snapped onto the pad support S. Also, the pad may be unsnapped for cleaning or storage purposes, with the pad support remaining attached to the frame.

The embodiment of FIGS. 10-14 may be provided with straps in a manner similar to the previous embodiment, with shoulder straps 29 attached to the underside of pad support cross bar 103 and extending outwardly over the side strips 97 and 98 of the pad P", as in FIG. 10, and groin straps 33 attached to cross rail 16. The remaining straps each have a loop which encircles the side rail 93 and 94 of the frame F, so as to be adjustable therealong. The head straps 28, chest straps 30, rib straps 31 and hip straps 32 are connected together across the body of the patient, while the groin straps 33 are passed over each upper thigh and connected to buckles carried by short straps 112, slidable through loops along the frame side rails. The hip straps 34, knee straps 35 and ankle straps 36 extend both to the inside and outside of the respective rails 93 and 94, so that each may be strapped across the respective portion of a leg of the patient. The various straps are shown at random positions in FIG. 10, to indicate their adjustability along the frame side rails. Traction elements may be added to the head and the foot of the stretcher of FIGS. 10-14, although the same have not been illustrated.

The embodiment of FIGS. 10-14 is particularly light in weight and thus may be utilized by one person, in carrying on his back a patient strapped to the stretcher. For this purpose, each of a pair of adjustable lifting straps are attached at one end to cross rail 16 and at the opposite end to the respective eye 43' on the foot bar 96. After the patient is strapped to the stretcher, the stretcher and patient are raised to a nearly upright position, with the carrier opposite the patient and with his back against the normal underside of the stretcher. The carrier then bends at the knees and waist and tightens the lifting straps over his shoulders, in a position in which he can reach behind him and grasp one of the extended slides 18 with each hand. By rising and bending forwardly at the waist, the carrier can support the patient and stretcher on his back, with the center of gravity of the patient and stretcher above his upper back, i.e., with the head of the patient directly above the carrier's head and the stretcher slanting downwardly and rearwardly, as at an angle of about 45.degree.. To avoid discomfort caused by the cross rail 16, the carrier may wear padding, such as a heavy jacket. In this way, the carrier can carry the patient and stretcher in a balanced position, with the lifting straps over his shoulders assisting in maintaining the balance of the stretcher and also transferring a portion of the load of the patient to the carrier's shoulders.

As will be evident, a stretcher constructed in accordance with this invention is readily made and may be reproduced in quantities with convenience and economy. The light metal parts of the stretcher may be made of conventional sizes of aluminum or the like, are readily cut to length and any special holes, grooves and the like are readily placed therein by punching, drilling, or similar operations. Parts which are not made from tubular stock are, in general, easily produced on automatic screw machines or the like. By use of suitable jigs and fixtures, the design of which will, in general, be self-evident, the necessary welding, brazing or similar operations can be carried out readily on an individual or on a production basis. The metal plates which support the sponge rubber straps may be stamped from large sheets, but preferably from sheets of a width substantially that of the sponge rubber strips, with the various pieces being welded, brazed or similarly attached to each other in a permanent manner. The assembly of substantially all of the parts has been described, and with some training, a workman can become adept in the assembly operations.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that the stretcher of this invention fulfills to a marked degree the requirements and objects hereinbefore set forth. The disassembly and transportation of the stretcher has been described above, and it will be evident that, through a wide use of tubular parts, strength combined with light weight is secured. Through resilient pads covering longitudinal rails, and at certain positions extending between the longitudinal portions of the pads, a patient may rest comfortably on the stretcher, and at the same time, a maximum amount of the body is available for attachment of immobilization straps, traction straps when necessary, first aid treatment and the like. Both the immobilization and traction straps are quickly and readily attached, while the longitudinal adjustability of the cross rails enables the strap positions to be adjusted to suit the proportions of a patient. In addition, by mounting the handles on the cross rails, carrying points located strategically with respect to the weight and center of gravity of the patient, are provided. In addition to or in lieu of the handles, the various tubular parts provide additional points for handling by persons carrying the stretcher, so that movement over rough terrain is readily accomplished. Also, through immobilization of the patient on the stretcher, the stretcher may be carried or moved in either a horizontal or a vertical position. Blood plasma and the like can be supplied, and reduction of fractures and other first aid treatment can be readily accomplished, as in the manner described. The addition of a wheel for movement over smooth terrain or a path, the use of the lifting cables, and similar provisions, are essentially optional, yet have considerable value for numerous instances of use.

An advantage of a stretcher made primarily of aluminum and sponge rubber is that X-rays can be taken through the stretcher parts, so as to determine the location and extent of fractures and the like, before the patient is removed from the stretcher. For use in ambulances, planes, and the like wherein a number of patients are to be carried, racks may be provided consisting essentially of posts at the head and foot and provided with sockets or other receivers for the tubular slides 41 and 42 at the head and 41' and 42' at the foot of the first embodiment, or the end bars 95 and 96 of the second embodiment. For such use, or for other uses, if desired, the side rails may be continuous pieces, as in the second embodiment, rather than each side rail being separable into two parts, although the latter is advantageous, as pointed out previously, for use when the stretcher is to be carried over rough terrain to the patient or to be stored in a smaller space than would accommodate the full length of the stretcher.

While two embodiments of this invention have been described with particularity and variations indicated therein, it will be understood that other embodiments may exist, and various changes made therein, all without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A stretcher comprising:

a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending side rails;

padding carried by said side rails;

at least one tubular cross rail adjustable longitudinally along said side rails;

means connecting said cross rail with each of said side rails for movement of said cross rail along the respective side rail;

a pair of slides within and laterally extensible from the respective end of said cross rail to provide carrying means for the stretcher; and

locking means associated with said cross rail, said connecting means and said side rails being operable by said slides, to permit movement of said cross rail longitudinally of said side rails when said slides are moved to an inner position, and to lock said cross rail against longitudinal movement when said slides are moved to an outer position.

2. In a stretcher, as defined in claim 1, including:

a support for said padding and having side strips interposed between said side rails and said padding, said support having a series of lateral cross bars extending between said side strips, including a pair of longitudinally spaced cross bars at the head of said stretcher; and

said padding having cross pieces supported by said pair of head cross bars, said cross pieces being positioned to support the head of a patient on said stretcher.

3. In a stretcher, as defined in claim 2, wherein:

said cross bars of said padding support are of channel shape having flanges on the underside and extend across said side rails; and

a series of fasteners extend though said cross bars and said side strips to engage snaps mounted in opposed positions on the tops of said siderails and the underside of said padding, said flanges of said cross bars providing space to accommodate said snaps on said side rails.

4. In a stretcher, as defined in claim 2, wherein:

said cross bars of said padding support extend between said side strips at the foot of said stretcher and at least two intermediate positions between the head and foot of said stretcher.

5. In a stretcher, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said side rails are tubular and have longitudinally spaced, conical holes on the underside in axial alignment;

said cross rail is tubular and movable longitudinally along and beneath said side rails, said cross rail being connected to each side rail by a ring surrounding said side rail and a short tubuler spacer connecting said cross rail to said ring, said cross rail having a circular aperture beneath each said spacer;

said slides are tubular and movable inwardly and outwardly in said cross rail from each side thereof, each said slide having a circumferential groove; and

a detent ball within each spacer and cooperating with said side rail grooves to engage a side rail groove to lock said cross rail to said side rails when said slides are moved outwardly, and to permit movement of said cross rail along said side rails when said slides are moved inwardly, to permit said detent ball to be received in said circumferential groove.

6. In a stretcher, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said side rails are separable into head and foot portions, with one of said portions having disconnectable means for connecting to the opposite portion;

a head bar and a foot bar connecting the head and foot ends, respectively, of said side rail portions; and

at least one longitudinally adjustable cross rail on each of the head and foot portions of said side rails.

7. In a stretcher, as defined in claim 6, wherein said side rail connecting means includes:

a connector in each side rail of one portion and movable into and out of said side rail of said one portion and interfitting with the corresponding side rail of the other said portion;

a spring within each said side rail of said one portion for urging said connector outwardly therefrom;

at least one transversely movable pin for each connector for locking said connector in an inner position and an extended position;

a spring surrounding a rod having a head limiting outward movement of said connector; and

said side rail being provided interiorly with a disc forming an abutment for said spring and a connection for the end of said rod opposite said connector.

8. In a stretcher, as defined in claim 1, including means for restraining outward movement of said slides, including:

a rod within said cross rail, having a fixed head at one end and a removable head at the opposite end; and

a disc mounted in the inner end of each slide and having an aperture through which said rod extends, said rod heads being outwardly of said discs.

9. In a stretcher, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said side rails are continuous and connected at the ends thereof by transverse head and foot bars;

said padding is non-metallic and extends along and above each side rail and is provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced cross pieces for supporting the head of a patient; and

a metallic pad support is disposed beneath said padding and includes a pair of side strips above said rail and a plurality of cross bars resting on said rails and extending beneath said side strips, said cross bars being positioned beneath said cross pieces, at the foot end of said stretcher and at intermediate positions corresponding to the range of movement of a single cross rail.

10. In a stretcher as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said side rails are tubular and connected by head and foot bars;

a longitudinally extensible slide extends from said side rails at each end thereof, said longitudinal slides at each end being connected by a laterally extending tube; and

a pair of transverse slides are movable inwardly and outwardly from each side of each said tube.

11. A stretcher as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a series of straps are attached to each said cross rail, for passing around a portion of the torso of a patient adjacent the adjusted position of said cross rail.