1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention relates to apparatus for restraining a patient.
More particularly, the subject invention relates to apparatus for restraining a patient and transporting the patient.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
In dealing with trauma cases, the patient is sometimes in serious pain and is not capable of laying quietly. They must be restrained to prevent them from injuring themselves further by falling off of a stretcher or from violent movement of a body part.
Heretofore, straps were used to secure the patient, but the straps did not cover substantially the entire body and therefore the support provided was minimal.
The object of this invention is to provide apparatus which covers substantially the entire body and supports and maintains the body. It also is constructed to be associated with a stabilizing sheet and associated stabilizing bars which permits the apparatus to be used to carry a patient.
An apparatus is provided for restraining a patient. The apparatus has an elongated covering blanket having a longitudinal axis, a length and a plurality of opening spaced apart along the length. The covering blank has a top and bottom surface and first and second end portions and first and second side portions. First and second securing straps are connected to the first end portion of the covering blanket. A securing strap is connected to the second end of the covering blanket. A plurality of side securing straps are connected at spaced apart locations along the longitudinal axis of the covering blanket. Each side securing strap extends transversely outwardly from respective adjacent sides of the covering blanket. A plurality of flexible loop type handles are each connected to respective sides of the covering blanket at locations between side securing straps. The securing straps are formed of hook and eye type connecting material. Each strap is connected to the blanket and is extendable through a respective back board opening with the strap ends connectable on themselves.
First and second shoulder securing straps 28,30 are connected to the first end portion 20 of the covering blanket 14 at locations spaced one from the other. A securing strap 32 is connected to the second end portion of the covering blanket 14.
A plurality of side securing straps 34-37 are connected at spaced apart locations along the longitudinal axis of the covering blanket 14. In the preferred embodiment shown, each strap 34-37 extends transversely outwardly from respective adjacent sides of the covering blanket 14 and is a unitary piece in order to strengthen the blanket 14. These straps can however be separate straps extending outwardly from a respective blanket side, but not be unitary. Also, the straps 34-37 are relatively long in order to accommodate an obese patient.
A plurality of flexible loop type handles 40-45 are each connected to a respective side portion 24,26 of the blanket 14 and are each located between adjacent side securing straps 34-37. One part of a hook and eye type material is connected to the bottom surface 12 of the apparatus as strips 62-63 each extending along a respective first and second side portion 24,26 of said apparatus.
The securing straps 32 and 34-37 are formed of hook and eye type material and are each of a size sufficient for being extendable through a respective opening 48-59 of an example back board 46 of
The openings 16-18 extend through the covering blanket 14 and are at selected positions relative to a body being restrained by the blanket 14. The openings provide access for paramedical personnel to work on the patient and run diagnostic tests on the patient while being transported to a hospital, for example.
Referring to
Referring to
It should be understood that various other securing straps can be attached to the covering blanket 14 without departing from this invention. Such additional securing straps can be supplied for selectively securing various body parts. For example, straps can be provided for securing head blocks to the blanket. legs and arms can also be selectively restrained by providing other securing straps.
Other aspects, objects, and advantages will become apparent by a study of the drawings, the specification and the appended claims.