Abstract: A sling for patient to be transferred includes a trough of strong flexible sheet material having a bottom, opposite side walls and opposite end walls. The side walls are connected to the end walls at four corners with a reinforced edge extending along the side walls, end walls and around the four corners. A pair of flexible handle straps are connected to each of the side walls, each handle strap extending beyond the reinforced edge of each side wall and being adjacent one of the corners and a further handle strap is fixed to each of the end walls, each further handle strap being intermediate the corners of each end wall respectively and extending beyond the reinforced edge of each end wall.

Abstract: A patient rescue bag is provided with an upper portion and a lower portion for use in carrying an injured person from a remote location that is not accessible by normal emergency vehicles. Once the injured person is placed between the upper and lower portions of the patient rescue bag, that person may be easily carried by rescue workers while being kept comfortable and warm. In addition, each of the outer edges of the upper and lower portions can be detached from one another so that the patient can be reached from any location around the periphery of the patient rescue bag. By use of multiple strips of hook and loop fastener material, such as VELCRO.RTM., the width of the patient rescue bag can be adjusted to the size of the injured person being carried. The outer materials of the patient rescue bag are weatherproof and reusable, and the inner materials that touch the patient are clean, disposable sheets similar to those used in hospitals.

Abstract: A litter apparatus including an expandable framework is arranged to have secured thereon a cover. The framework includes spaced parallel first tubular bodies, each having a second tubular body, with each second tubular body having a retractable third tubular body that in turn includes a fourth tubular body, wherein the tubular bodies are expandable relative to one another, with first and second forward expandable tubes mounted orthogonally between the first tubular bodies and first and second expandable rear tubes mounted orthogonally between the fourth tubular bodies, whereupon the actuation of plungers within the first tubular bodies permits release of the tubular bodies relative to one another in an expanded orientation relative to one another.

Abstract: A composite litter board is made from two separate rigid board members that are adapted to be releasably secured to each other by two rigid partial sleeves with C-shaped cross sections that have narrow openings.

Abstract: A multipurpose patient support surface is provided with support surface segments connected to one another in series. The segments are formed of a sandwich laminate including a top and a bottom load bearing skin layer separated by a core material. The segments are connected to one another at transverse edges by a hinge area and are locked in position relative to one another to form substantially planar support surface.

Abstract: An articulating joint is provided for use in a foldable frame for a stretcher for example, which is capable of being selectively locked against upward, downward, or lateral folding by rotating the joint relative to the folding frame member.

Abstract: A pet trauma support board structure includes a first board having a second board hingedly mounted thereto, with the first and second boards each including strap apertures to receive a plurality of strap members directed therebetween, with each of the strap members having leg straps, with each of the leg straps including leg strap fastening structure to permit securement of each leg strap about an individual leg of an associated animal. An necessary, an accessory strap is arranged to include a muzzle restraint loop securable about an animal's head.

Abstract: A foot support plate adapted for mounting on a foot end of a rigid stretcher comprising a base rectangular plate of rigid construction having connected by a first hinge to a first support arm and a second hinge attached to the base of a second arm, the first and second arms being adapted to be mounted on the support plate for movement between an open position and a closed secured position for securely supporting the foot support plate in a generally perpendicular relationship with said rigid stretcher. The base plate also comprises a series of at least two pins extending an orthogonical relationship for engaging matching sockets in the base of the rigid stretcher for providing an anchoring for the base plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for evacuating persons of decreased mobility from a building, such as a hospital, in the event of emergency. It provides a device for moving a supine person by lifting or sliding. The device comprises an elongated, planar, rigid base portion on which the person lies and a lower surface provided with a layer of carpeting for sliding on a surface, flaps having adjustable straps for securing the person on the base portion, handles attached to each end of the base portion whereby the device may be pulled from either end, and handles attached to both sides of the base portion whereby the device may be lifted from said both sides.

Abstract: A vehicle seat liner is used to allow manual extrication of an injured driver from the vehicle seat. The liner is formed of two rigid board elements disposed against those portions of said vehicle seat normally contacted by the back and buttocks of the operator when seated. The board elements are pivotally joined to each other adjacent the juncture of the aforesaid portions of the vehicle seat. This permits the driver to sit on the liner when in the seated position in the vehicle seat and to lie upon the liner when the board elements are pivoted relative to each other to form a substantially planar configuration. The liner also has handles, hand grips, straps, or the like, that can be grasped by rescue personnel reaching into the interior of the vehicle to extricate the driver. This permits rescuers to lift the liner and the driver from the vehicle seat and out of the vehicle while stabilizing of the head and spinal cord of the driver.

Abstract: An evacuation restraint comprising a base sheet (1) of flexible fabric, a rigid support member (2) of corrugated plastics board material including a central rectangular portion (3) having its corrugations running longitudinally and smaller rectangular portions (4 and 5) flexibly connected to either end of the central portion (3) having their corrugations running transversely, said support member being secured by sewing or adhesive to said base sheet (1), said base sheet (1) extending beyond the edges of said support member (2) and having longitudinal straps (12 and 13) secured at its edges, bracing straps (17 and 18) extending from the straps (12 and 13) to the ends of the base sheet and transverse straps (20 and 21) having loop connectors (22 and 23) adapted to engage loops (16 and 19) secured to the edges of the base sheet (1) to enable the base sheet to envelope a patient (P) supported by a mattress (M) (FIG. 3) for evacuation purposes.

Abstract: This invention relates to an appliance to assist in the movement of persons. The appliance comprises a sheet of fabric material having sleeves along each longitudinal edge and each transverse edge. A plurality of handholds are provided along each longitudinal sleeve and each transverse sleeve. Means for securing the appliance to the upper surface of a mattress of a standard sized hospital bed are provided.