Patent Application
20090172885
Movement and evacuation of a non-ambulatory person becomes a crucial decision during an emergency situation. This decision is based in part the difficulty of the movement and evacuation pared with the physical condition and of the non-ambulatory person versus the scope of the emergency. During any movement or evacuation of a non-ambulatory person, extreme care must be used to insulate the person from further injury. Often when the decision for movement and evacuation has been made, timing has become crucial. Even moments of delay during a movement or evacuation, whether due to assembly, personnel error or otherwise, could make a difference in the safety and well being of the non-ambulatory person as well as the individual completing the rescue. There remains a need in the art for a device which is rapidly deployable for the safe and efficient movement or evacuation of a non-ambulatory person who is positioned upon an underlying mat, such as a mattress.
The present invention relates generally to a device for moving or evacuating a non-ambulatory person positioned upon an underlying mat. More particularly, the present invention is a rapidly deployable device for the safe and efficient movement or evacuation of a non-ambulatory person who is positioned upon an underlying mat. The device comprises a support means and associated attachment means which partially or wholly enclose the underside of an underlying mat and attach a plurality of upper straps and an associated securing means which secures the non-ambulatory person to a top surface of the underlying mat. The device has at least one pull means which can be utilized to move the underlying mat by one individual by lifting or sliding.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the securing means is a cover contoured into an adjustable bib which quickly deploys from the head of the underlying mat over the non-ambulatory person's head and torso and secures the non-ambulatory person to an underlying mat for movement or evacuation. In an alternate embodiment, the securing means are flaps which deploy from the sides of the underlying mat and are adapted to be adjustably lapped over to secure the non-ambulatory person's body to the underlying mat. As a further feature of the present invention and until deployment, the contoured cover of the preferred embodiment is stored in a compartment located at the head of the mat and the flaps of the alternate embodiment are stored in side compartments located on the side panels of the mat. In the preferred embodiment the device is incorporated into a pressure reducing mattress, as the underlying mat. In an alternate embodiment the device is a separate piece from the underlying mat and is positioned in relation to the mat prior to deployment. The device of the present invention includes a pull means for transportation during movement or evacuation. It is conceived herein that the present invention could include at least one pocket to securely hold medical or personal documents, medicines or objects, information chip or transmitter or a personnel locator, such as a global positioning or tracking device.
It is a principle object of the present invention to provide a movement and evacuation device that is a rapidly deployable device for the safe and efficient movement or evacuation of a non-ambulatory person who is positioned upon an underlying mat. Additional objects and advantages of the invention are set forth in, or will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from, the detailed description, figures and drawings and claims as follows. The accompanying figures and drawings, which are incorporated herein by reference and constitute a part of this specification, additionally illustrate an embodiment of the invention. Also, it should be further appreciated that modifications and variations to the specifically illustrated and discussed features and materials hereof may be practiced in various embodiments and uses of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, by virtue of present reference thereto. Still further, it is to be understood that different embodiments, as well as different presently preferred embodiments, of this invention, may include various combinations or configurations of presently disclosed features, elements, or their equivalents (including combinations of features or configurations thereof not expressly shown in the figures or stated in the detailed description). Such variations may include, but are not limited to, substitutions of the equivalent means, features, and materials for those shown or discussed, and the functional or positional reversal of various parts, features, or the like.
The present invention relates generally to a device for moving or evacuating a non-ambulatory person positioned upon an underlying mat. More particularly, the present invention is a rapidly deployable device for the safe and efficient movement or evacuation of a non-ambulatory person who is positioned upon an underlying mat. As shown in the embodiment of
As shown in
In the preferred embodiment as shown in
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in
Although a preferred and alternate embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms and devices, such description is for illustrative purposes only. The words used are words of description rather than of limitation. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present invention. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of various other embodiments may be interchanged both in whole and in part. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the present invention should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiment contained herein.
